Press Statement
PRESS STATEMENT: THE RISING WAVE OF ATTACKS AGAINST IJAW LEADERS IN GOVERNMENT – INC
IJAW NATIONAL CONGRESS:
PRESS STATEMENT
THE RISING WAVE OF ATTACKS AGAINST IJAW LEADERS IN GOVERNMENT.
1. The Ijaw National Congress (INC), under the leadership of its President, Prof. Benjamin Ogele Okaba, expresses deep concern over the increasing spate of attacks targeted at prominent Ijaw sons and daughters holding strategic government positions. These attacks, largely driven by personal and small-group interests rather than the collective good of the Ijaw nation, threaten not only the progress of the individuals involved but also the credibility and reputation of the Ijaw people as a whole. More worrisome is the fact that majority of these campaigns of calumny, blackmail and manifestations of the evil pull-him-down syndrome are orchestrated, championed or sponsored by fellow Ijaws.
2. In recent times, we have witnessed a plethora of deliberate and well-coordinated, desperate and deadly efforts to discredit, malign and undermine key Ijaw leaders who have been making significant contributions to the development of Ijaw Nation, the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large. Among those who have faced these unjustified attacks in recent times are:
(a) Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil).
(b) High Chief Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
(c) High Chief Dr. Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) and his security company, Tantita Security Services Ltd.
These individuals have dedicated their efforts to improving the security, development, and overall welfare of Ijaws and the Niger Delta, yet they have become targets of slander, petitions, protestations, and other calculated schemes designed to discredit their work.
3. The latest victim of this troubling trend is Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), who is now facing threats of mass protests, multiple petitions, and a smear campaign orchestrated to derail his administration. The INC strongly condemns these actions and warns that such internal sabotage is detrimental to the progress of the Ijaw people, and hence will not be tolerated.
4. These divisive attacks, often fueled by selfish interests rather than for the general good of Ijaw people, are putting the Ijaw nation in a negative light before the Nigerian government and the international community. If these malicious actions continue, they will only result in national and international political leadership sidelining Ijaw leaders in national and sub-national appointments. This will be a major setback for our people, who have fought tirelessly to gain this level of recognition and leadership roles in national and international affairs. The ripple effect of this character assassination on the general wellbeing of the Ijaw, can only be imagined.
5. The INC strongly believes and encourages Ijaws in all spheres of life to hold our leaders at all levels (community, council, state and national) accountable through more civilized and constructive engagement and criticism mechanisms, deploying the already well-established institutional frameworks existing at our community and the ethnic organization platforms. We will not sit idly by and watch unpatriotic individuals or groups dent our collective image and undermine the progress that has come to us at the cost of great sacrifices—including the blood of many Ijaw heroes. This is a serious warning to all those engaging in these dastardly and destructive acts.
6. It is important to emphasize that Dr. Ogbuku (like those mentioned earlier) has demonstrated outstanding leadership and performance as the Managing Director of the NDDC. His tenure has seen the implementation of numerous impactful projects, including:The “Light Up Niger Delta” campaign, which has delivered thousands of solar-powered streetlights across various communities in the region.Many ongoing Dredging and Land Reclamation Projects, Road Projects across the Niger Delta which is crucial for infrastructural and economic development. These community-driven projects are aimed at improving the standard of living across Ijaw land.
7. suffice to reiterate that while the INC fully supports calls for better governance and improved development across the region, we strongly oppose the use of blackmail, vilification, libelous propaganda, and violence as tools to achieve such demands. Constructive engagement and dialogue remain the best approaches to addressing concerns and advancing the interests of the Ijaw people.
8. We call on all well-meaning Ijaw sons and daughters to prioritize the collective interest of the Ijaw nation over personal or political rivalries. It is imperative that we stand united in defending and supporting our leaders who are making tangible contributions to the advancement of our people.
9. We also urge the Federal Government, the NDDC Board, and all relevant stakeholders to disregard any politically motivated petitions or attempts to discredit the leadership of Dr. Ogbuku and other Ijaw leaders. Instead, efforts should be directed towards strengthening the development agenda for the Niger Delta and ensuring that the region continues to benefit from its rightful share of national resources.
10. The Ijaw struggle has been marked by resilience, unity, and sacrifice. It is time to build upon our achievements rather than tear them down from within.
Signed:
Prof. Benjamin Ogele Okaba
President,Ijaw National Congress (INC) Worldwide
Press Statement
PRESS STATEMENT: PANDEF WELCOMES ONGOING REFORMS IN THE OIL AND GAS SECTOR AND DEMANDS FOR GREATER POSITIONING FOR PROFESSIONALS FROM THE NIGER DELTA
Being Text of Press Statement Issued by the Pan-Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF)
The news of the recent reforms in the regulatory arms of Nigeria’s oil sector has come to the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and indeed the entire Niger Delta with great appreciation and expectation.
We particularly applaud the appointment of one of Nigeria’s most competent professionals in the oil and gas sector, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan as CEO of Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). Indeed, this particular appointment could be described as putting a square peg in a square hole, and we thank His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for this.
Mrs. Eyesan, a seasoned economist, has left her mark in the Nigerian petroleum industry, having previously served as Executive Vice President (Upstream) in NNPC. In all her professional life, she has always left a mark of diligence, excellence and impact, wherever she served. She showcases a panache, making all Nigerians, and indeed, our womenfolk exceptionally proud of her service to the country.
It is our belief that, with her in charge of upstream and corresponding appointment of another competent Nigerian, Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as CEO of the Nigeria Mid-Stream and Downstream Regulatory Authority, Mr. President is set to take the Nigerian oil and gas sector on a quantum leap into the future.
We, the people of the Niger Delta, are greatly impressed with these changes, and hope that the holistic reforms would be sustained. This is the only way to ensure that the oil and gas industry continues to play the paramount role which it has been doing for the common economic interest of all Nigerians and places Nigeria as a dominant player in the global energy architecture.
PANDEF again take this opportunity to express the hope that, as Mr. President will continue to follow through with these reforms in the sector, more sons and daughters of the Niger Delta from where the country has the highest number of experienced professionals in the sector, would be brought into other top positions within the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation {NNPC} and the industry at large. Furthermore, we look forward to sustained efforts of the Federal Government in putting in place a robust programme for the environmental remediation of the Niger Delta. The Federal Government must go beyond Ogoni Clean-up to ensure that there is budgetary provision on annual basis to clean up the damaged environments of the Niger Delta in a sustained manner.
These changes present another opportunity to call on the Federal Government to put in place a robust programme to promote the building of modular refineries in the Niger Delta. In 2018, government had committed itself to setting up a Modular Refinery Development Fund, similar to the Solid Minerals Development Fund. This must be urgently looked into and encouraged as a way of carrying more host communities along in implementing the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), creating more economic activities in the Niger Delta and ensuring that the sector has greater stability for the overall good of the country.
Finally, as the apex body representing host communities, PANDEF reaffirms its commitment to working closely with Federal and State governments in mobilising our people to ensure that the right enabling environment exists for this important sector to continue to play its deserved role.
Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali,
National Chairman
Chief Obiuwevbi Ominimini
National Publicity Secretary
Press Statement
PRESS STATEMENT: THE IJAW NATION MUST REMAIN CALM, UNITED, AND STRATEGIC IN THE FACE OF RECENT POLITICAL DEFECTIONS – INC
PRESS STATEMENT:
THE IJAW NATION MUST REMAIN CALM, UNITED, AND STRATEGIC IN THE FACE OF RECENT POLITICAL DEFECTIONS
By Prof. Benjamin Okaba, President, Ijaw National Congress
1. The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has observed with keen interest the recent gale of political defections across Nigeria and particularly in Bayelsa State, the epicentre of our national homeland.
While the INC, as a body, remains non-partisan and does not dictate the political choices of our people, we are deeply concerned about the implications of these rapid political realignments on the unity, stability, and long-term strategic interests of the Ijaw nation.
2. We acknowledge the wisdom of those who strongly believe that this move carries inherent dangers that could undermine the Ijaw’s political standing, especially in terms of contribution to a One-Party State, that could diminish their strategic leverage to negotiate between competing national parties, potentially making them politically captive to a single entity; the risk of internal division that could weaken collective action; the erosion of a distinct political identity, by aligning with the party that controls the federal government could be perceived as a dilution of the core Ijaw struggle, trading a principled stance for pragmatic gains and potentially causing ideological confusion.
3. We also fully appreciate the principled position of majority of our leaders who view this move as a strategic calculation, with implications for enhanced national integration; moving the Ijaw from the political periphery—often in opposition—into the center of federal power, a shift from being an “isolated island of opposition” to the “mainland of collaboration”, as this could end a period of political isolation and integrate the Ijaw more fully into Nigeria’s governing structure; a path to economic development, as proximity to the federal government is historically linked to the allocation of resources and projects. To these optimists the Ijaw nation could leverage this new alignment to attract critical federal infrastructure—such as roads, seaports, and power projects—to the difficult terrain of the Niger Delta, addressing long-standing developmental deficits and; that having direct political access for being part of the ruling party grants a seat at the table of national decision-making. This access could allow Ijaw leaders to influence policies directly affecting the region, from oil revenue derivation formulas to environmental regulations and security matters in the creeks, rather than protesting these issues from the outside.
4. In times of such political volatility, it is easy for emotions to run high and for our collective focus to be fractured. Therefore, we issue this statement to call for utmost calm, strategic thinking, and unwavering unity among all Ijaw people, regardless of political affiliation.a. A Call for Composure Over Reaction: We urge our sons and daughters, our leaders and followers, not to be swayed by the transient winds of political expediency. We must not allow these developments to create division, animosity, or internal conflict within our communities. The peace and stability of the Ijaw Nation are paramount and non-negotiable.
b. The Supremacy of the Ijaw Interest: The INC wishes to remind all Ijaw politicians that their primary allegiance is to the Ijaw people. Political platforms are vehicles for advancement, but the destination must always be the development, empowerment, and protection of the Ijaw national interest. We caution against actions that sacrifice our collective destiny on the altar of personal ambition or short-term gains.
c. Guarding Our Political Voice: History has taught us that our strength often lies in our ability to maintain a distinct and formidable voice in the Nigerian federation. We must be strategic and discerning, ensuring that our political choices do not lead to the erosion of our hard-earned political relevance or relegate us to the periphery of national decision-making.
d. Unity as Our Bedrock: Now, more than ever, we must close ranks. The INC will continue to provide a neutral ground for dialogue and engagement to ensure that the Ijaw nation emerges from this period stronger and more cohesive. We warn external forces against exploiting this situation to cause disharmony within our ranks.
The Ultimate Implication: A Test of Strategic Execution
5. In an unbiased assessment, the defection itself is less critical than what follows. The primary implication for the Ijaw nation is that it presents a high-stakes test of political skill. The benefits may not be automatic, and the risks may not be inevitable. The outcome hinges on whether Ijaw leadership can:
i. Achieve Internal Cohesion: Unify the various political factions within and outside the APC to present a solid, common front.
ii. Leverage Access Effectively: Convert the newfound proximity to power into tangible, lasting benefits for the Ijaw people, not just for a political class.
iii. Protect Core Interests: Ensure that the strategic identity and long-standing demands for equity and environmental justice are not silenced but are more effectively championed from within the system.
6. Let it be clear: The Ijaw nation is greater than any single political party or individual. Our journey for justice, equity, and fair inclusion in the Nigerian project is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires patience, wisdom, and a united front.
7. The INC stands ready to guide and provide leadership through this period. We call on all Ijaw socio-cultural groups, youth organizations, women leaders, and traditional rulers to join hands in fostering understanding and a strategic approach to the current political realities.
The Ijaw spirit is unbreakable. Let us navigate this moment with the wisdom of our ancestors and the courage that defines us.
Long live the Ijaw Nation!
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Prof. Benjamin Okaba,
President, Ijaw National Congress (INC)
Press Statement
NIGERIA AT 65: A SOLEMN REMINDER OF THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF JUSTICE AND SELF-DETERMINATION FOR THE IJAW NATION
PRESS STATEMENT:
October 1, 2025
NIGERIA AT 65: A SOLEMN REMINDER OF THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF JUSTICE AND SELF-DETERMINATION FOR THE IJAW NATION
By: Professor Benjamin Okaba
President, Ijaw National Congress (INC)
Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
On the occasion of Nigeria’s 65th year of political independence, the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the apex socio-cultural and political organization of the Ijaw people, finds no serious cause for any grandiose celebrations, beyond appreciating God and providence for getting us together as one single political entity. Instead, this anniversary serves as a solemn and painful reminder of 65 years of internal colonialism, calculated marginalization, and the systemic expropriation of our wealth and rights.
For the Ijaw nation, the Nigerian project has been a story of broken promises and brazen injustice. While our land and waters have produced the oil and gas that have fueled the nation’s economy for decades, we have been rewarded with nothing but extreme poverty, environmental devastation, and political suppression. The much-celebrated unity of Nigeria remains a myth, built upon the foundation of our oppression.
Our stance is not one of mere grievance, but one grounded in historical fact and legal right. The Ijaw people, as distinct owners of a territory with pre-1914 treaties with the British Crown, never willingly surrendered our sovereignty. The Nigerian state, as it is constituted, has consistently violated the principles of true federalism upon which it was supposedly founded.
The recent political crisis in Rivers State, where the rights of an Ijaw son were trampled with federal acquiescence, is only the latest chapter in this long history of disrespect. It demonstrates a persistent pattern where the might of the state is deployed not for justice, but to subjugate the Ijaw will.
Furthermore, laws like the Land Use Decree, Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) are not instruments of reform but a continuation of the legalized plunder of our resources. Our environment remains a sacrifice zone, with oil spills and gas flaring destroying our ecosystem and livelihoods with impunity.
Given this reality, we have come to a definitive conclusion: the pursuit of justice within the current Nigerian framework is a futile endeavour. Our hope no longer resides within Therefore, on this 65th anniversary, we reiterate our commitment to the Global Awakening of the Ijaw Struggle for Self determination.
We hereby call upon the international community, including the United Nations, the African Union, and all global citizens of conscience, to take note of the plight of the Ijaw people. We invoke the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to legitimize our quest for self-determination. Our demand is for the right to manage our resources, protect our environment, and determine our political destinies.
Let it be clear: our quest is for justice, not secession by force. We shall pursue this cause through peaceful, strategic, and diplomatic means, as is our right under international law.
To the Nigerian State, our message is this: the Ijaw people can no longer be spectators in a nation built on our backs. The current structure is unsustainable. The time for a sincere national dialogue that addresses the fundamental issues of resource control, true federalism, and the rights of nationalities is long overdue.
Until that day of reckoning, do not expect us to celebrate an independence that has only deepened our chains.
Long live ljaw Ethnic Nation
Professor Benjamin Okaba
President,
Global Ijaw National Congress (INC).