A prominent Ijaw leader, Chief Reuben Clifford Wilson, has called on Ijaw people to desist from what he described as destructive criticism and hostility against fellow Ijaws appointed into political offices or awarded federal contracts.
Chief Wilson made the appeal on Thursday in an open statement addressed to “Ijaw brothers and sisters,” warning that persistent attacks on Ijaw appointees undermine the collective strength and progress of the ethnic nationality.
According to him, no ethnic group or community can advance by constantly pulling down its own people.
“As a people, we must understand that no nation, ethnic group, or community progresses by pulling down its own,” Wilson stated.
“Leadership appointments and opportunities at the federal level should not become reasons for bitterness, envy, or division among us.”
Wilson, who is the founder of the Pastor Reuben Initiative for Good Leadership and Accountability and a member of the Governing Council of the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, noted that while criticism remains an essential part of democracy, there is a clear difference between constructive engagement and attacks motivated by jealousy, anger, or political rivalry.
“When we constantly discredit our own people before outsiders, we weaken our collective voice and reduce the chances of more opportunities coming to the Ijaw nation,” he said.
He urged Ijaws to encourage, guide, and support their sons and daughters in positions of authority rather than resorting to insults, blackmail, or coordinated campaigns of hostility.
Wilson observed that many other ethnic nationalities strategically protect and support their people in government and business circles, despite internal disagreements.
“They may disagree internally, but they do not publicly destroy their own in ways that damage their collective interests. The Ijaw nation must learn from this,” he added.
The Ijaw leader clarified that his appeal should not be interpreted as an attempt to shield public officials from accountability or excuse incompetence, but rather as a call for unity, maturity, and responsible public engagement.
“Let us ask questions respectfully, criticise responsibly, and support progress wherever we see it,” he stated.
Wilson further linked the issue to the broader struggle of the Ijaw people for inclusion, development, fairness, and recognition within the Nigerian federation.
“We cannot achieve these goals if we become our own greatest enemies,” he warned.
He called on the Ijaw nation to embrace unity over division, support over sabotage, and collective progress over personal grudges, stressing that the success of any Ijaw son or daughter should be viewed as a victory for the entire ethnic nationality.
The statement concluded with prayers for peace, dignity, unity, and sustained advancement for the Ijaw people, the Niger Delta region, and Nigeria as a whole.
