Sponsored
PANDEF Mourns the Passing of Elder Statesman, Pa Ayo Adebanjo
By Admin – IduwiniVoice
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, a revered elder statesman, nationalist, and advocate for justice, democracy, and equality. In a heartfelt tribute, PANDEF described the late icon as a towering figure who dedicated his 96 years to the relentless pursuit of a better Nigeria.
Recognizing his pivotal role in shaping the country’s political landscape, the group lauded his unwavering commitment to unity, democratic governance, and inter-regional collaboration. PANDEF’s National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, conveyed condolences to the Yoruba nation and Pa Adebanjo’s family, emphasizing that his legacy of courage, resilience, and advocacy will continue to inspire generations.
See details below:
“PAN-NIGER DELTA FORUM (PANDEF)
“PRESS STATEMENT
“IN PA AYO ADEBANJO, WE MOURN A GREAT TITAN OF OUR NATION
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees and National Leadership of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), and the entire people of the South-South geopolitical zone, we are profoundly shocked and saddened by the news of the passing of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, a legendary icon and elder statesman who dedicated an extraordinary 96 years to activism, championing justice, equality, and freedom for the Nigerian people.
“The news of his demise has left us in deep sorrow as we struggle to come to terms with the loss of this distinguished lawyer, politician, and statesman, PANDEF recounts that he played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s history even predating it’s independence.
“Throughout his illustrious career, Pa Adebanjo was a steadfast advocate for democratic governance, human rights, and social justice. His relentless pursuit of a better Nigeria inspired generations to strive for excellence and demand accountability from their leaders. His contributions to the country’s struggle for independence, his role in shaping the Action Group and Afenifere, and his unwavering support for the marginalized and oppressed will forever be remembered.
“We particularly acknowledge that it is to his credit that relations between Afenifere and PANDEF flourished, fostering a spirit of truth and justice in Nigeria. This achievement highlights his dedication to unity and intra group collaboration.
“Indeed, unntil his passing, Pa Adebanjo was the co-founder and deputy chairman, alongside Chief E.K. Clark, in the Southern and Middle Belt Forum—a platform that brings together leaders from the South East, South South, South West, and North Central regions. This forum continues to play a crucial role in promoting dialogue and understanding across Nigeria’s diverse regions, including close interraction withArewa Consutative Forum and Northern EldersForum.
“PANDEF joins all other Nigerian patriots to celebrate Pa Adebanjo’s inspirational life, the last great titan of the Chief Obafemi Awolowo disciples, as a symbol of hope, resilience, and determination As he bows out today, his legacy reminds us that one person can make a significant impact and that collective action can drive transformative change in our
“Our heartfelt condolences, especially of his personal friend and partner, Chief EK Clark, goes out to the family of Pa Ayo Adebanjo and the great people of the Yoruba nation who have lost a beloved son, leader, and champion. May they find solace in the enduring legacy he leaves behind for us all.
“May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
Ambassador Godknows Igali, OON
PANDEF NATIONAL CHAIRMAN
Sponsored
OPEN LETTER TO THE DELTA STATE GOVERNMENT RE: FALSEHOOD ABOUT WARRI NORTH AND THE HISTORICAL TRUTH OF EGBEMA IJAW MAJORITY
OPEN LETTER TO THE DELTA STATE GOVERNMENT
RE: FALSEHOOD ABOUT WARRI NORTH AND THE HISTORICAL TRUTH OF EGBEMA IJAW MAJORITY
From: Ijaw Stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency
Date: [16/8/2025]
Dear Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State,
We read with outrage the recent misrepresentation by your administration claiming that Warri North Local Government Area is “predominantly inhabited by the Itsekiri.” This is false, misleading, and a reckless distortion of history.
The 1999 Constitution binds every arm of government to truth and equity:
S.14(2)(b): “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”
S.42(1): forbids ethnic discrimination in state action.
S.17(2)(a),(d): demands equality and forbids exploitation of human and natural resources against communities.
Your government’s post violates these provisions by attempting to erase the majority status of the Ijaw people of Egbema Kingdom in Warri North.
2. Historical Truth: Warri North is Dual, Not Exclusive
Warri North is made up of two traditional kingdoms:
1. Egbema Kingdom (Ijaw)
2. Itsekiri Kingdom
It is therefore a constitutional and historical fraud to present the LGA as if it belongs exclusively to the Itsekiri.
British Intelligence Reports (1936, 1951) confirm that Egbema Ijaws constitute the majority population in Warri North.
Early European accounts such as Pacheco Pereira (1505) describe Egbema and other Ijaw groups as dominant along the Benin and Escravos Rivers.
Even colonial census records (1921, 1931, 1952, 1963) confirm Ijaw numerical dominance across Warri territories.
3. Geography and Settlement Facts
The physical landmass of Warri North betrays this false narrative:
Egbema Ijaw communities (e.g., Opuama, Polobubo, Tsekelewu and others) occupy vast swamp and riverine territories of the LGA.
The Itsekiri communities, though significant, do not outnumber the Egbema Ijaws.
Court records and colonial leases show Ijaw communities consistently recognized as landowners, while others were settlers or tenants.
4. The Fraud of Manufactured Itsekiri Majority
For decades, colonial distortions and post-independence manipulation inflated Itsekiri status. The fraudulent “6–4” ward allocation (six wards to Itsekiri, four to Ijaw) exemplifies this injustice.
The Supreme Court in Timinimi v. INEC (SC/CV/1033/2023) has already pronounced this structure unconstitutional, unjust, and illegal. INEC has verified through fieldwork in the creeks and communities. The only step left is publication.
5. Our Warning to the State Government
Governor Oborevwori, government cannot function on falsehood. To continue to project Itsekiri exclusivity in Warri North is to deliberately incite tension between communities and to disregard constitutional order.
As Justice Nnamani once ruled: “Equity will not allow the law to be used as an instrument of fraud.” By pushing a false narrative, your administration risks being complicit in the very fraud equity forbids.
6. Our Demand: Tell the Truth and Obey the Law
1. Delta State Government: Retract and correct your false claim. Acknowledge the dual reality of Warri North, Egbema Ijaw and Itsekiri.
2. Federal Government: Direct INEC to publish the Supreme Court–ordered delineation result without further delay.
3. Public and International Community: Reject state-sponsored propaganda that erases the Ijaw majority and sustains political fraud.
7. Conclusion: Truth vs Falsehood
Ijaw (Egbema): Majority, ancestral landowners of Warri North.
Itsekiri: Minority, co-inhabitants but not exclusive claimants.
The Supreme Court has spoken. INEC has verified. Only publication remains.
As Thomas Paine warned: “A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.” INEC’s silence and your government’s propaganda will not bury the truth.
Signed
Chief Tiemopere Joshua
(President)
Chief Ebikeke T. Goodstime
(Secretary)
Ijaw Stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency
CC:
The Presidency
The National Assembly
The National Security Adviser
United Nations, AU, EU
Sponsored
Ijaw Youth Council Alleges Ethnic Discrimination, Gross Inefficiency, Wants President Tinubu to Fire Executive Secretary of the NCDMB.
By: Favour Bibaikefie
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Western Zone has demanded the immediate sack of Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe from his current role as the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), alleging inefficiency, ethnic bias, and negligence towards critical youth engagement in the Niger Delta, while calling on President order an immediate probe into his activities.
This was contained in a statement jointly signed by
Comrade Nicholas Igarama – Chairman, Ebi Joshua Olowolayemo – Secretary, and Comrade Tare Magbei – Information Officer, and dated August 14, 2025, which reads in full:
“NCDMB: IYC Demands Sack of Unproductive Ogbe as Executive Secretary
“Leadership in its most rudimentary form defines the essence of absolute responsibility on assigned tasks as bestowed by higher authorities.
“This very phenomenon has been found to be lacking in the leadership of Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) headed by Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe.
“As Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Ogbe has consistently failed to input his supposed industry track record in the advancement of the mandate upon which the agency was founded.
“He has continually had a sectional engagement with his fellow Itsekiri Kits and Kin, thereby shutting all other ethnic nationalites in the Niger Delta region out.
“Repeatedly has he avoided critical youth engagement in the region while sponsoring that of his Itsekiri ethnicity through different human capacity development initiatives, while other ethnic nationalites are left unattended.
“As Ijaws, mostly from the western flank where Engr. Ogbe also hails from, we will not sit and watch others benefit from the resources that we produce without our practical involvement to better the lives of our people as well.
“It is on record that the leadership of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Western Zone has tried to establish communication with Engr. Ogbe, for the last ten months, but every medium of communication to get his attention has fundamentally proven to be abortive.
“As youths, we can no longer have leaders in office who have now equated themes to demi-god and have refused to attend to most significantly youthful issues in the Niger Delta Region.
“To this end, we therefore call on President Bola Ahmed Tinibu to immediately sack Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, who has consistently displayed disregard for critical actors in the Niger Delta and has also exhibited the highest level of gross inefficiency by not keeping up to the fundamental mandate upon which NCDMB was founded.
“Hence, this call is made for the presidency to probe into Engr. Ogbe’s activities at the NCDMB relieve him of his duties as Executive Secretary of the Board.”
By Divine Perezide
His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, the Executive Governor of Delta State, has condoled with the Agediga family over the passing away of the mother of Amb. Dr. Shedrack Agediga, Chairman, Delta State Bursary & Scholarship board. The Governor said Mama Agediga’s death has created a big vacuum and described her death as a huge loss, saying that mama lived an impactful life and her legacy would remain fresh in the memories of the living.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori who was represented by Rt. Hon. Solomon Funkekeme (Senior Policy Adviser) advised everybody to emulate the lifestyle of late Mama Binkayai Uyabrade Enerekpemi Agedigha as she had touched humanity as a virtuous and community woman leader by contributing meaningfully to the development of the society.
The governor disclosed during the burial ceremony of Mama Binkayai Uyabrade Enerekpemi Agedigha and charged everybody, especially mothers to emulate her lifestyle to make their little contributions to develop the society.
“Mama has gone after leading an impactful life and her legacies as a very strong woman and virtuous community leader must be sustained” The governor admonished.
Also, speaking, Barr. Dcn. Kingsley Otuaro, immediate past Deputy Governor of Delta State , Rt. Hon. Julius Pondi, member representing Burutu Federal Constituency, House of Reps. Rt. Hon. Godknows Angele, Commissioner for Housing, Chief (Barr) Funyei Manager, Commissioner for Special Projects and Chief Favour Izoukumor, Executive Director – Social Services, DESOPADEC both extolled the late mama’s contribution to the society and expressed sadness for losing the Nonegerien.the
They acknowledged that she led a fulfilled life and urged society, especially women to emulate the lifestyle late of mama.
Mama Agediga died at the prime age of 104 and survived with 3 Children, 22 Grand Children, 24 Great Grand Children and 2 Great Great Grand Children.
The burial ceremony was attended by the creme de’ la creme of the society, including the Governor of Delta State Chief Sheriff Oborevwori who was represented by Rt. Hon. Solomon Funkekeme (Senior Policy Adviser) Hon. Spencer Okpoye, Commissioner representing Ijaw Ethnic Nationality, DESOPADEC.
Rt. Hon. Solomon Funkekeme (Senior Policy Adviser), Barr. Dcn. Kingsley Otuaro, immediate past Deputy Governor of Delta State , Rt. Hon. Julius Pondi, member representing Burutu Federal Constituency, House of Reps, Rt. Hon. Godknows Angele, Commissioner for Housing.
Others are Chief (Barr) Funyei Manager, Commissioner for Special Projects, Chief Favour Izoukumor, Executive Director – Social Services, DESOPADEC, Hon. Spencer Okpoye, Commissioner representing Ijaw Ethnic Nationality, DESOPADEC, Hon. Chief Dan Yingi former lawmaker Delta House of Assembly, Hon. Emma Amgbaduba former Commissioner Delta state, Chief Vero Tangbeowei, Delta state former PDP women leader, Hon. Godwin Edumogiren, Hon. Paul Kurugbe, Olorogun Vincent Oyibode JP, Chairman Udu Council and others.