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Last Saturday, after making derogatory remarks about the Ijaw nation—dismissing them as political minorities without a voice—Nyesom Wike arrived in Abalama, a town in the Kalabari Kingdom. His visit went against the wishes of the Amanyanabo of Abalama and other key stakeholders of the kingdom. Yet, despite the tension and clear opposition to his presence, the Kalabari elites have remained conspicuously silent.
For the past 16 months, as the political battle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Wike has unfolded, the Kalabari elite have largely chosen self-preservation over advocacy. They sit in their grand mansions, shielded by wealth, protected by bulletproof SUVs and armed escorts, watching as their people are politically outmaneuvered. They murmur in private but refuse to take a stand in public, unwilling to risk being labeled as enemies of Wike.
One man, however, has remained steadfast—a lone voice in the wilderness. Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo-Asari, the Amanyanabo of Elem Kalabari, has spent over three decades fighting for justice in the Niger Delta. Now at 60, when he should be stepping back into a quieter life, he is still pushing forward, still challenging injustice, still speaking up when others are afraid.
Dokubo-Asari has been relentless in calling out the injustices meted out against the Ijaw people by both President Tinubu’s government and Wike’s political maneuvers. Whether on television, social media, or the streets, he continues to be a thorn in the side of those who wish to silence Ijaw voices.
But his advocacy is not just about words. Until just days ago, through his private security firm, Amama Soldiers, he singlehandedly provided round-the-clock security on the Emuoha-Kalabari road—an infamous hotspot for kidnappers and armed robbers. Every month, he personally spent over N50 million to keep his men stationed on that dangerous stretch, ensuring the safety of travelers. Yet, not a single wealthy Kalabari businessman or politician stepped in to support him. The same elites who take that route weekly for social functions and family meetings remained comfortable in their silence.
Now, as political winds shift and impeachment threats loom, Kalabari men are quietly positioning themselves, hoping to align with Wike for future political advantage. They dream of a Kalabari governor but are unwilling to fight for it.
It is time for Kalabari men to stand and be counted. Leadership is not about waiting for the safest moment to speak—it is about standing up when it matters most. Will they continue to watch from the sidelines, or will they finally join the battle for their people’s political future?.
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