Fresh Ijaw Demand For Statehood, Resource Rights

JAMES KWEN reports on the renewed Ijaw agitations, spotlighting demands for political inclusion, state creation, environmental justice, and grassroots development

For decades, the Ijaw nation has remained at the centre of agitations for resource control, environmental justice, political inclusion, and equitable development in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta.

Despite contributing significantly to the nation’s oil wealth, many Ijaw communities continue to grapple with underdevelopment, environmental degradation, poor infrastructure, and what many leaders describe as political marginalisation.

With the emergence of a new leadership of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the umbrella socio-cultural body of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, those longstanding demands appear to have gained renewed momentum.

At the inauguration of the new National Executive Council (NEC) of the congress in Warri, leaders and stakeholders renewed calls for the creation of additional states, expansion of local government areas in Bayelsa State, fair political representation, proper electoral ward delineation, and environmental justice for oil-bearing communities.

The Ijaw people are regarded as the largest ethnic group in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, spread across Akwa Ibom State, Bayelsa State, Delta State, Edo State, and Rivers State, with sizable populations also residing in Ondo State.

For years, Ijaw leaders and groups have argued that, despite the region’s contribution to Nigeria’s oil revenue, many communities remain underdeveloped and environmentally degraded due to decades of oil exploration.

Environmental pollution, infrastructural neglect, unemployment, and demands for resource control have remained recurring issues in the Niger Delta.

The INC, which has long advocated for the interests of oil-producing communities, recently conducted its leadership election amid disagreements among stakeholders before the new NEC was inaugurated at the SMU-TUNS Playground in Warri.

The new executive council is headed by High Chief Macdonald Ebi Igbadiwei as President, alongside Dr Felix Okubokeme Tuodolo as Vice President, Dr Anyanate Kio as National Secretary, Ikosomi Barry Ibarakumo as National Publicity Secretary, and Talent Brown as National Legal Adviser, among others.

The event attracted several Ijaw stakeholders, including the Chairman of Tantita Security Services, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo; the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro; traditional rulers; lawmakers; and officials of the Ijaw Youth Council.

In his acceptance speech, Igbadiwei said his administration would focus on addressing challenges facing the Ijaw nation while promoting unity among the people.

A major highlight of the inauguration was the renewed demand for political restructuring and greater representation for the Ijaw people within the Nigerian federation.

Igbadiwei stated that the INC under his leadership would continue to push for the creation of Toru-Ebe State and Oil Rivers State, arguing that the move would create more political space for Ijaw communities, especially in Edo and Ondo states.

The agitation for additional Ijaw-majority states has persisted for years, with advocates insisting that the ethnic nationality deserves more states and local government areas given its population and economic contributions.

The new INC leadership also renewed calls to expand the number of local government areas in Bayelsa State from 8   to 24. Supporters of the demand argue that additional local governments would improve grassroots development and political representation in the state.

Comparisons were also made with Kano State, which currently has 44 local government areas.

“We shall pursue, to a logical conclusion, the creation of Toru-Ebe State and Oil River State in order to create more political space and address the marginalisation of Ijaw people, especially in Edo and in Ondo states.

“Bayelsa State, the only homogeneous state and a proud symbol of our shared heritage, continues to face a narrowing political, economic, and social landscape.

Despite persistent calls and sustained advocacy to expand its local government structure beyond 8, Kano State currently has 44 local governments.

“The local government we are demanding to be approved should be up to, and not less than, 24 local governments in Bayelsa state,” the new president said.

Another issue raised during the inauguration was the lingering controversy surrounding electoral ward delineation in the Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State.

The matter has remained contentious following a Supreme Court judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a fresh and equitable delineation of wards and polling units in the constituency.

Days before the inauguration, some Ijaw groups under the aegis of Operation Rescue Ijaw Nation Crusaders protested at the INEC headquarters in Abuja, demanding implementation of the delineation report.

The protesters accused the electoral body of delaying action despite previous assurances. The issue has continued to generate tension among Ijaw and Urhobo communities, with concerns that prolonged delays could affect political stability ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Beyond state creation and local government expansion, concerns were also raised over the alleged marginalisation of Ijaw communities in parts of Akwa Ibom State, particularly in Ibeno.

The new INC leadership said it would pursue lawful means to seek redress and recognition for affected communities.

“Our people in Ibeno, the host community to Mobil Producing Nigeria Limited, Conoil Producing Limited, now Seplat Energy PLC,  we hear your cries, we hear your worries, we know that you are passing sleepless nights at Ibeno.

“We are aware of the challenges you face, particularly the use of government institutions to subjugate your people by refusing them to recognise your status as host communities to the aforementioned companies.

“We assure you that we shall explore all lawful means. We say we shall explore all lawful means to seek redress and endure the justice, fairness and your rightful recognitions are achieved, “Igbadiwei assured.

Former INC President, Prof. Benjamin Ogele Okaba, urged the new leadership to sustain the struggle for resource control, state creation, and the creation of additional local government areas.

He also called for unity within the Congress and urged the leadership to reconcile aggrieved factions.

“I encourage you today to move on with some of the cardinal programmes of the 8th NEC, and these include, one, leveraging on the registration of INC as a member of the United Nations Unrepresented Peoples’ Council. We have a seat in that body.

“INC will not pass through anybody to communicate its concerns to anybody. We’ll be there to discuss the issues in the same way this NEC had engagement with the European Union, with other agencies in France, in Britain, in so many places, and so on,” Okaba admonished.

The Chairman, National Electoral Committee (N-ELECO) of the INC 2026 election, Justice Francis Tabai,  also tasked the new leadership to deploy wisdom, unity, courage, and integrity in carrying out the sacred responsibility of advancing the collective aspirations of the Ijaw people and strengthening the congress for generations to come.

Political observers believe the coming years will test the ability of the Macdonald Igbadiwei-led leadership to translate the renewed agitations into concrete political gains.

Although demands such as state creation and local government expansion would require constitutional amendments and broader political support, many stakeholders insist that sustained advocacy remains necessary.

For now, the renewed push by Ijaw leaders has once again drawn attention to unresolved questions surrounding political representation, environmental justice, and resource control in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region.