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Despite his repeated denials of vituperations on Ijaw ethnic nationality and their leaders, Ijaw youths, under the auspices of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, and the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, have stigmatised Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, as a serial liar, an ingrate, and a blackmailer.

Last Thursday, Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, said in a live media chat that the Ijaw people were a minority within the minorities, who are over rating themselves among the other ethnic groups in the country.

Wike, particularly accused late Pa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, the foremost Ijaw leader and nationalist of propagating the Ijaw agenda when he could not install an Ijaw governor in Delta state.

Wike, the youths insist had seriously disparaged PANDEF at the worst socio-political organisation that anyone could rely on, while describing its Board of Trustees, as "Political Merchants".

But yesterday at Abalama community in Asari-Toru Local Government Area during his controversial thanksgiving and reception, Wike, known for always double-speaking, denied denigrating Ijaw leaders, and poured encomiums on the organisers of the event.

According to the Ikwerre-born politician, he was quoted out of context, saying that he was rather calling for unity of purpose amongst the ethnic groups in Nigeria.

Soldiers, armed mobile policemen and other security operatives drove in a motorcade with the Minister, and forced themselves into the Abalama school field, firing tear gas to disperse women, old and young, who barricaded the road to Abalama community.

The action of the Abalama women and youths, was sequel to the refusal of the community's King A. B. Bigg Tom Tom to grant the organisers permission to hold the program on their school field last Saturday.

Members of the Ijaw Youth Council were also billed to hold their gathering at the same venue and time, preparatory to an enlarged congress of the IYC, to discuss reactions to "Wike’s reckless and unguarded outbursts." against the Ijaw people.

While the IYC and the PANDEF Youth wing were strategizing at Abalama in Rivers state, on how to tackle the FCT Minister seamlessly, massive protests swept through the streets of the commercial city of Warri, Delta state, chanting songs, and asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sack Wike within 48-hours or face the consequences.

The PANDEF youths on their own side, in addition to the FCT Minister's rescuing himself from the Federal Executive Council within a 48-hour ultimatum, have equally asked Wike to retract his statement and apologise publicly to the Ijaw ethnic nationality and their leaders for insulting and deriding them.

In the midst of the confusion, women from the 23 local government areas of the state, under yesterday's heavy downpour, pleaded with Wike and his 27 lawmakers to sheathe their sword and embrace peace in the interest of the state.

The women, numbering hundreds under the umbrella of Rivers Women unite for SIM, RWUS, gathered at the Isaac Boro Park, Port Harcourt for hours, offering prayers and asking God to intervene and restore peace and stability in the state.

For Rivers state to move forward, both humanly and socio-infrastructurally, there was the urgent need for Wike and the 27 legislators to genuinely reconcile with Governor Fubara.

The women were quick, after a praise and worship session, to blame the devil for "seriously fighting against the peace of the state. That is why we have gathered here interceding for Rivers state, under this rain."

Observers expressed appreciation for the wisdom and maturity of Ijaw youths who were at Abalama, for displaying peaceful disposition all through the hurried event, and not reacting violently to provocations and shooting of teargas.

Unconfirmed reports say while the soldiers and other security operatives were on land tempting the youths to react, some gun boats were stationed at the Abalama waterfront waiting for necessary instructions.

Wike, rather than address the people during the program, was busy scoring himself against Governor Fubara who was not even there, saying it was 2-0 against his political godson.