David Akachukwu
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Professor Benjamin Okaba, the President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), has sharply criticized Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, for his recent comments about the Ijaw ethnic group.
Okaba referred to Wike as a “careless speaker” who frequently makes reckless statements, sometimes under the influence of alcohol.
This criticism follows Wike’s controversial assertion that the Ijaws are a minority ethnic group in Nigeria, a claim he made during a press briefing about his ongoing political dispute with Siminalayi Fubara, his successor as Governor of Rivers State. The remark has angered Ijaw leaders.
Speaking on Arise Television’s The Morning Show on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, Okaba rejected Wike’s statement, asserting that the Ijaws are one of Nigeria’s four largest ethnic groups.
“The person you’re referring to (Wike) could say anything when he’s under the influence of alcohol and then later retract it; he’s an extremely careless speaker,” Okaba said.
“These are basic demographic facts. The Ijaws are not just the fourth largest; they are one of the four largest groups in the country.”
The professor of sociology further emphasized that the Ijaw people’s impact goes beyond their land and into Nigeria’s riverine regions. He argued that census data has often been misrepresented and that the true population of the Ijaws has not been fully accounted for.
“We are not a minority. In fact, we are the largest and most indigenous ethnic group in the Niger Delta region, and this is widely acknowledged. The Ijaws are present in six states,” Okaba explained.
He pointed out that beyond Bayelsa State, the Ijaws have significant indigenous populations in Abia, Delta, Edo, Ondo, and Rivers states.
In Abia, there are 26 Ijaw communities, while in Rivers, the Ijaws are native to over ten local government areas, he noted.
Okaba accused Wike of intentionally distorting historical and demographic truths to serve his political motives. He also called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure that no individual undermines Nigeria’s democratic stability, warning that Wike’s political influence is entirely dependent on his current government position.
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“We believe that was a deliberate misrepresentation. Forget about those who manipulated political census figures; when the time comes for an accurate count, we will reveal the truth,” Okaba said.
The escalating tension between Wike and prominent Ijaw political figures highlights the ongoing crisis in Rivers State and could have significant political consequences for future elections and governance in the Niger Delta region.
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