Arch Tom Inko- Tariah, President of the Coastal Dwellers Association of West Africa has described as untrue and mischievous representations in the media space that Alhaji Mujahid Abubakar Dokubo-Asari, champion of Resource control and minority rights is against the present protests in Nigeria.

According to Arch Tariah, mischief makers on social media cut, pasted and edited a lengthy speech given by the Alabo Edi Abali of Kalabari Kingdom at a recent NDDC event in Port Harcourt to give it a different connotation.

In a statement issued by Arch Tom Inko Tariah, the President of the Coastal Dwellers Association of West Africa, says claims suggesting that Alhaji Mujahid Abubakar Dokubo-Asari, the prominent advocate for minority rights in the Niger Delta is wrong, he stressed that Dokubo-Asari known for his lifelong dedication to fighting for the people cannot change at this stage of his life,

“what he is actually against is anarchy and any attempts to overthrow an elected government through a coup.”

Tariah highlighted Dokubo-Asari’s unwavering commitment to standing by the people and fighting for justice and equality throughout his career. He noted that while Dokubo-Asari may have expressed concerns about the potential for violence and chaos during the protests, his stance is rooted in a desire to uphold democratic principles and prevent any destabilization of the country.

The full video of his speech is hereby included with the transcript.

” Let me tell you something. Don’t pretend about it. We are all sitting here peacefully. It will be good for you to visit Liberia, visit Somalia…visit Venezuela. I was in Libya, I was a friend of Ghaddafi, I lived in Libya. Libya was paradise. Today Libya is hell-fire. Ninety percent of those who led the anarchy against Ghaddafi are all dead.

Let nobody decieve you that there will be a peaceful protest. It’s not a protest. It’s a call to anarchy. Have you read the ten point demand? A change of government, a change of constitution, and a change of this and that. Is that demand for good governance? That is a coup and we will resist it.

People have been hungry and this is not the first time. Nobody is happy that people are hungry. We are all working so that the burden on the shoulder of the people will be lifted and carried away.

The President has done this. The President is doing this. He is not doing that. When a government comes to power, we seize to be political party members. We seize to be PDP or APC or YPP or any other political party. We all now have a party called Nigeria. Party Nigeria, that’s what we are and we must all work, no religion says you must pray for your government to fail. Anywhere you see a small thing for your government to fail, immediately you jump in, the government must fail .

This government will not fail. This government will stand. We might have differences. We must tell those in government that if you are in government, you must not use your power in government to suppress people, to cause anarchy.

There are people in government and say we will deal with you. But na me dey tell you say you no fit deal with me. So those who think they can deal with us should not spoil the government of Ahmed Bola Tinubu. Me, I have known Ahmed Bola Tinubu, I know him to his bedroom. And I know there is no President that has come to this country that is like Ahmed Bola Tinubu. All of you know I don’t flatter people. In fact, I specialize in abusing people. President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Sammy Ugbuku and Dennis Otauru and others were in the trenches with us.

This is the first time that a President that is one of us is in Aso Rock and that is why we must support him because we know he is dealing with people who do not understand what we went through and what we are. We have paid our price from June 12 till today. We have gone to prison, we have been underground, we have been buried alive. We have every right to earn our respect. And we are telling you, don’t go .

What they want to come and do is to blow pipelines, to intercept trucks, trucking. To intercept barging, barges. You heard what happened in Imo State yesterday where they killed police officers, that is what they want to do and we must resist them. We must not allow them to bring their anarchy here, but if you get stronghead,you bring am, I no be Tinubu, I no dey government, I no be Chief of Army Staff, I no be IG of Police, if you do anyhow, you go see anyhow. Don’t bring your protest here.

The protest does not concern us. And anywhere you are doing your protest, I dey there and you are doing your protest abd I know your protest will be a threat to me, I will be a threat to you. That is it. I am not going to romance my words. I am not going to do si si si with you. I am not a sisi. My name is Mujahid Dokubo-Asari and I am going to live up to my name and I will stand firm. I am not doing it because Bola Ahmed Tinubu will give me anything. I am doing it be because I believe if I don’t do it, my life will be in danger, the lives of my children will be in danger and the lives of my compatriots, all of you who are here will also be in danger. It is wrong for us to be part of or even conceive this protest. Those who have lost elections should prepare for 2027. Thank you.”

Tariah added,
“Alhaji Mujahid Abubakar Dokubo-Asari has always been a champion for the rights of the marginalized communities in the Niger Delta and beyond. His focus has been on addressing systemic injustices and promoting peaceful resolutions to grievances,” Tariah stated. “It is crucial to understand that his concerns lie not with the legitimate grievances of the protesters but with the dangers of anarchy and attempts to subvert the democratic process through unconstitutional means.”

Tariah emphasized the need to differentiate between peaceful protests and actions that could lead to violence or threaten the stability of the country. He underscored Dokubo-Asari’s advocacy for a strategic, organized approach to effecting change, rather than resorting to chaos or lawlessness that could undermine the progress made in advancing the rights of all Nigerians.

“Alhaji Mujahid Abubakar Dokubo-Asari’s stance against anarchy and a coup should be viewed in the context of his deep-seated commitment to the welfare and future of all Nigerians, especially those who have long been marginalized. His position reflects a dedication to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that democratic institutions remain intact,” Tariah clarified.

As Nigeria continues to grapple with the multifaceted challenges facing the country, voices like Alhaji Mujahid Abubakar Dokubo-Asari’s and associations like the Coastal Dwellers Association of West Africa play a crucial role in fostering dialogue, promoting understanding, and advocating for peaceful solutions. By engaging in constructive discourse and upholding the values of justice, equality, and democracy, they contribute to building a more just and inclusive society for all.