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  • INC decries non legislative harmonisation of PIA, Solid minerals Acts

    INC decries non legislative harmonisation of PIA, Solid minerals Acts

    The Ijaw National Congress (INC), has decried the non harmonisation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 with the Solid Minerals Act.

    Prof. Benjamin Okaba, Global President INC worldwide while briefing the media on Saturday in Abuja described the development as a “systemic injustice” against the people of the Niger Delta.

    He explained that the INC was compelled to address the issue in view of the “stark and discriminatory” disparity in the governance of the two sectors by their various Acts.

    He noted that a comparative analysis revealed not a simple difference in administrative approach, but a deliberate and calculated legislative framework designed to militarise, plunder, and marginalise the Niger Delta while affording other regions a gentler, more equitable regime for their resources.

    He said that the evidence was irrefutable as the PIA  Act 2021 and the Mining Act 2007 when read side-by-side, revealed a “Nigeria that operates a two-tiered system of resource justice”

    The INC global president listed areas of legislative disparities against the Niger Delta region to include host community benefits, policy area, environmental remediation, security approach resource control and revenue allocation.

    According to him, in view of the evidence, it is therefore imperative for a legislative harmonisation of both Acts, and called for the immediate legislative harmonisation.

    “The National Assembly must initiate an amendment to the PIA to bring its community benefit provisions, environmental obligations, and ownership principles in line with the more equitable standards of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act. This includes, as a minimum, a review of the three per cent and 30 per cent allocations.

    “The Federal Government must immediately withdraw the Joint Task Force from the Niger Delta and adopt a civil and regulated security approach, consistent with the approach in the solid minerals sectors.

    “The long-term solution to this perennial crisis is a return to the practice of true federalism and derivation-based resource control, as practiced in the First Republic, where regions managed their resources for their development.

    “The Niger Delta is not a colony of Nigeria. We can no longer accept laws that treat our people and our environment as sacrificial lambs for national unity.”

    He explained tht the PIA offered three per cent of annual operational expenditure from oil companies for host communities, but the Mining Act mandates that operators conclude a Community Development Agreement (CDA) with their hosts, addressing scholarships, employment, infrastructure, and enterprise development.

    He added that the three per cent was rejected by the Niger Delta region because the region viewed as insulting given the decades of monumental environmental devastation and socio-economic neglect.

    “Furthermore, this contribution is not from profit but from operational cost, and it is mandated to be managed through a Trust Fund, effectively sidelining elected state governments and traditional institutions, reducing them to “siddon lookers” in the words of Bayelsa State’s Deputy Governor.

    “Crucially, the Act imposes a collective punishment clause, holding entire communities financially liable for vandalism of oil assets, a provision that is unjust, unconstitutional, and inflammatory, but in contrast, there is no collective punishment clause in the mining act.

    “While the PIA reinforces the total federal ownership of oil, the Mining Act, though also declaring federal ownership, has historically tolerated artisanal and small-scale mining by individuals and cooperatives across northern and western states,” he said.

    According to him, this operational laxity grants a de facto economic participation that is ruthlessly denied to the people of the Niger Delta.

    “Also the approach to environmental protection and remediation further highlights the bias, because in spite of the PIA’s provisions against gas flaring, it includes a dangerous loophole allowing the Minister to permit it, rendering the prohibition weak.

    “The environmental degradation from decades of oil spills and gas flaring has been catastrophic, destroying livelihoods and poisoning our ecosystem.

    “Meanwhile in the solid minerals sector, the Mining Act explicitly requires license holders to minimise environmental impact and rehabilitate mined land to its natural or predetermined state .

    “While enforcement is a challenge, the legal obligation is clear and unequivocal, lacking the ministerial loopholes present in the PIA.”

    Okaba further said that with the government deployment of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Restore Hope since 2002 to secure oil infrastructure and prevent local refining, communities in the region had been turned into war zones.

    “Our people are subjected to human rights abuses, all to protect oil assets while denying us the benefits from them.

    “However there is no JTF in mining states. In spite of widespread illegal mining, the federal government only announced plans for mining marshals as recently as March 2024, and even that has not been fully activated.

    “This represents a deliberate non-militarisation of the solid minerals sector, allowing for a more permissive environment that stands in stark contrast to the repression in the Niger Delta.

  • Rivers Crisis: INC urges calm, peace amidst emergency rule

    Rivers Crisis: INC urges calm, peace amidst emergency rule

    The Ijaw National Congress (INC) Worldwide has urged the people of Rivers particularly those of Ijaw extraction to remain calm and peaceful following the declaration of State of Emergency in the state.

    President Bola Tinubu’s declaration on Tuesday, after a protracted political rancour in the state, meant a six-month suspension from office for Gov. Siminalayi Fubara, his appointees, deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu, and the state legislature.

    The INC’s reaction to the development was contained in a statement by its President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He called on the appropriate authorities to guarantee the protection of Fubara and his family in order not to raise questions about the intent behind his suspension from office.

    Okaba alleged that the suspension was hasty and skewed in favour of those opposed to the Fubara’s leadership in the state led by Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike.

    He said Ijaw people had refrained from being provoked by the opposition’s actions, particularly the recent thanksgiving by Wike at Abalama, an Ijaw community.

    ‘’The Abalama event was to incite violence and create justification for the declaration of emergency rule, which failed as Ijaw youths heeded the wise council of their elders.

    ”We said it just yesterday in both print and TV media that the political wahala in Rivers is beyond a battle between Wike and Fubara, but one orchestrated by a bigger political hand, now Nigerians have seen it,’’ he alleged.

    Okaba said the political situation in the state was not tense enough to attract the declaration, adding that some states faced more serious security concerns but were yet to suffer same fate as Rivers.

    ”These are states where frequent violent attacks have led to the deaths of many civilians and military officers by faceless tribal militia and other criminal minded elements.

    ”Where then is justice in this equation`, he asked.

    He said it was not true that the suspended Fubara had not done enough to avert the state of emergency.

    “In addition to providing a befitting space for the House of Assembly (after the demolition of the Assembly building) and paying their allowances, Fubara complied with all the terms of agreement reached with Mr President.

    ”This includes the withdrawal of court cases and reappointment of Wike’s commissioners among others.

    “Fubara has also started the implementation of the Supreme Court judgement by sacking the LGA chairmen and putting in place machinery for the conduct of Local Government Elections.

    ”His attempt to re-present the 2025 Budget was again frustrated by Wike and his legislators who were hell-bent to remove Fubara as governor by any means and at all cost,’’ Okaba said.

    He called for a thorough investigation into the recent pipeline bombing incidents in the region which was cited as part of the reasons for the state of emergency.

  • Caution Wike over comments on Ijaw people – INC to Tinubu

    Caution Wike over comments on Ijaw people – INC to Tinubu

    The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to call the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, to order over his comments on the Ijaw.

    The INC was reacting to alleged comments credited to Wike in which he said the Ijaw people ”were a minority of minorities in Rivers and other South South States except Bayelsa”.

    In a statement in Abuja on Friday, Chief Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, National Publicity Secretary INC, said that the congress had taken note of the FCT minister’s remarks.

    ”We will continue to maintain peace and stability, as we call on President Tinubu to caution him and redirect his focus to his ministerial duties.

    “The INC remains committed to preserving the harmony enjoyed by all in the Niger Delta region.

    “We have taken note of the recent remarks made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

    “Given his eight-year tenure as governor of Rivers we expected a more informed understanding of the state’s history,” the INC said.

    For the record, the INC said that the Ijaw people are the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria, with over 40 million people, and the oldest tribe in Nigeria, as documented in history.

    “They are the largest ethnic group in Rivers with eight local government areas, and also not a minority in Delta.

    “The Ijaw have consistently advocated for fairness and equity in the Niger Delta region and the South-South, and we will not be swayed by individual attempts to provoke us,” Oyakemeagbegha said.

  • Ijaws fume over claim Rivers is 6th Igbo state

    Ijaws fume over claim Rivers is 6th Igbo state

    The Ijaw National Congress (INC) Worldwide has advised some people of Rivers to avoid statements capable of causing ethnic crisis in the state.

    Chief Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, National Publicity Secretary, INC Worldwide, gave the advice in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Oyakemeagbegha, said his advice follows assertions in some quarters that Rivers is the 6th Igbo state. He said the statement was misleading as it did not reflect the true situation in Rivers.

    He said the fact that an Ikwerre indigene emerged the president-general of  `faction’ of Ohaneze Worldwide did not confer the status of 6th Igbo state on Rivers as claimed by one Ikwerre indigene.

    “The INC ordinarily would not have responded to such reports if not for the fact that such publications can mislead the gullible reading public.

    “For the education of our people and the entire reading public, the INC wishes to state categorically, that Rivers, as currently populated cannot be referred to as an Igbo state.

    “Rivers population currently has more than 50 per cent as Ijaws. There are also other ethnic nationalities like Ogoni, Ekpeye, and Eleme.

    “Concede that there are people within the lkwerre ethnic nationality who trace their origin to the Igbo ethnic nationality.

    “The fact still remains that they are infinitesimal as some historians within the same Ikwerre ethnic nationality are daily disputing their ties to the Igbos,” he said.

    He said similarly, it would be unjust for Ijaw nation to claim ownership of states by mere fact that such states contain Ijaw population.

    “For the sake of clarity, the fact that Ijaw exists in states like Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Abia does not make such states Ijaw states.

    “Also that Prof. Benjamin Okaba, the President of INC is from Delta, does not automatically convert it to Ijaw state.

    “Ijaws lay claim only to Bayelsa as an Ijaw state simply because it is predominately occupied by the Ijaws. The fact of geography, history and ethnic web does not lie.

    “Ijaws are not ready to concede any inch of their land to anybody. For those who have little flair for history, ljaws are known never to bow to anybody,’’ Oyakemeagbegha said.

    He recalled that ljaw people have a history as the only ethnic nationality that was never conquered by the colonialists. He, therefore, said INC would continue to resist any attempt to annex an ancestral land of the Ijaw people.

  • Ijaws mount pressure to produce next Delta governor

    Ijaws mount pressure to produce next Delta governor

    The Ijaw National Congress (INC) Worldwide, has appealed to Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU), to support Ijaw candidature for Delta governorship when power returns to South Senatorial zone.

    Prof. Benjamin Okaba, President INC, made the appeal in his goodwill remark at the 93 edition of the Urhobo National Day Celebration, which held in Agbarho, Delta.

    Okaba in a statement in Abuja on Saturday said by the convention in the state, power was supposed to rotate to the southern district in the next circle of elections.

    He said it was pertinent that the UPU remembered the support from Ijaw that gave them which shots previously that produced governors.

    “The Ijaws in Delta are known to have supported the Urhobo in all their intentions and aspirations to lead the state as governors.

    “They also supported their administrations, particularly starting with former governor James Ibori and now Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori.

    “It is the belief of the INC that the UPU would remember the good deeds and support to the Urhobo by giving the Ijaws their first right of refusal.

    “This is taking into cognisance the fact that the Itsekiris of Delta South have taken a shot at this top job in the past,” he said.

    The INC President said the Ijaw Nation considered their participation in the Urhobo National Day Celebration a privilege and as well an obligation.

    According to him, the common experiences, constraints and aspiration for greatness, mutually shared, over the years, have made the Urhobo and Ijaw one of the closest neighbours in the Niger Delta.

    “This is exemplified in part, by the fact that there is hardly any prominent Ijaw man or woman without some sort of biological and socio-economic link to the Urhobo.

    “The reverse is also the case. In major Urhobo communities (Ughelli, Agbarho, Uvwie, Abraka) the Ijaws are the largest non-indigenous population.

    “The Uvwie are even historically known to have emigrated from Tuomo Community in the Burutu Local Government Area, which extends the Ijaw fraternal penetration to the Urhobo contemporary geography.

    “Contrariwise, the Urhobos constitute the highest non-indigenous population in major Ijaw communities such as Yenagoa, Bomadi, Patani, Amassoma, Kaiama and Kpakiama,” he said.

    Okaba also said that as ethnic leaders on both sides of the divide, the INC and UPU leadership must leverage these common and strong traits/ties, and build on them to create stronger bonds of brotherhood.

    He said this was with a view to handle their common potential and multidimensional existential threats.

    “As brothers and neighbours, let us reactivate and upscale these virtues that bind us together and downplay those strange vices fighting hard to divide and destroy us,’’ he said.

    He said that the theme of the celebration “Repositioning the Urhobo Nation for More Prosperity”, was apt and captivating, particularly in the face of current realities that surround citizens in the country.

  • Rivers allocation: INC sues for calm over court judgment

    Rivers allocation: INC sues for calm over court judgment

    The President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Benjamin Okaba, has urged his kinsmen to remain calm over the judgment which ordered that  the Central Bank of Nigeria  (CBN) to cease all monthly financial allocations to the Rivers.

    Okaba gave the advice at the 10th Anniversary of the Ijaw Women Connect (IWC) held in Warri. He said that the high court judgment in Rivers would not stand the test of time. The Ijaw leader also urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the situation in Rivers.

    “In the light of the high court judgment stopping or denying statutory allocations to Rivers, INC considers it unconstitutional,” he said.

    Okaba commended the IWC for their support in the struggle to liberate the Ijaw nation and urged them to keep it up. He also appreciated the group’s achievements in empowerment, advocacy, mobilisation and others the region and urged them to sustain it.

    In her remark, Dr Vivian Elenwo, President of the IWC said that the body was formed to speak with a strong voice. Elenwo added that the group was established to encourage the Ijaw women in the participation on socio-political and economic issues amongst others.

    She paid glowing tributes to the founder and pioneer of IWC, Mrs Rosemary John-Oduone for her foresight in midwifing the group to what it is now.

    “We want to appreciate the founder and pioneer president, Mrs John-Oduone for her unwavering dedication, leadership and foresight to lay the foundation for the success of this organisation,” Elenwo said.

    She recounted the successes of the body in the area of empowerment, advocacy and mobilisation of Ijaw women across the country. Elenwo, however, urged members to always unite and support their leaders.

    Recall on Oct. 30, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the CBN to cease all monthly financial allocations to the Rivers State government.

    Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who delivered the judgment, cited “constitutional somersault” and “aberration” in how Gov. Siminalayi Fubara has been handling the state’s budget since January.

    Justice Abdulmalik’s decision follows Rivers State Governor Fubara’s recent presentation of the 2024 budget to the state’s legislature.

    The judge highlighted that only four members were present in the Rivers House of Assembly when Fubara presented the budget, which she called a “flagrant affront” to constitutional requirements.

    This setup, the court held, is a gross violation of the constitutional principles enshrined in the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.

    Furthermore, Justice Abdulmalik condemned Fubara’s disbursement and receipt of monthly allocations, saying that these actions have “grossly violated the Constitution” that the governor swore to uphold.

    Consequently, the court issued a restraining order not only to the Central Bank of Nigeria but also to the Accountant General of the Federation, Zenith Bank, and Access Bank.

  • Ijaws kick against scrapping of Niger Delta ministry

    Ijaws kick against scrapping of Niger Delta ministry

    The Ijaw National Congress (INC) worldwide has faulted the Federal Government over the scrapping the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and appealed for the reversal of the action.

    Prof Benjamin Okaba, President, INC worldwide, made the appeal at a news conference in Abuja on Saturday.

    The Federal Government had on Wednesday announced the scrapping of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs replaced with the Ministry of Regional Development.

    Okaba said it was unfortunate that the ministry was scrapped with the Niger Delta region had continued to bear to the burden of the country’s income generation.

    According to him, the recent decision to dismantle the Niger Delta Ministry came as a shock to the region.

    He said this was especially to the Ijaw people, who were the largest oil producing ethnic group in the country.

    “This ministry was created by the late President Yar’Adua, who showed great empathy for the people of the Niger Delta and sought to fast-track the development of this historically neglected area.

    “Its establishment was celebrated by Nigerians who valued peace and progress, and every administration since then has upheld its importance.

    “When President Tinubu assumed office, one of his initial considerations was to dissolve this vital ministry. After widespread public outcry, he seemed to reconsider.

    “Yet, the region was blindsided when this decision was later enacted under recent government reforms. This action has left many feeling betrayed and disregarded’’, he said.

    He, therefore, urged President Bola Tinubu to reverse the decision.

    “Should this appeal go unheard, the INC will convoke a meeting of ethnic representatives across the Niger Delta to formulate a unified response to this unjust, divisive, and unacceptable decision’’, he said.

    The INC President further said the move was not only frustrating and inflammatory alleging that it reflected indifference toward a population that has long fought for basic social and environmental justice.

    “It is also puzzling that while new development commissions are being created for other regions, a long-established institution is being dismantled in the Niger Delta.

    “We are all aware that the people in other regions would never tolerate the level of oppression currently inflicted on the Niger Delta region.

    “They would have responded swiftly, possibly with affirmative action, and raised an outcry. The Ijaw and other Niger Delta communities remember how former President Goodluck Jonathan was treated with antagonism and a relentless campaign,” he said.

  • Rivers Crisis: Call Wike to order, INC urges Tinubu

    Rivers Crisis: Call Wike to order, INC urges Tinubu

     

    The Ijaw National Congress (INC) worldwide has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to call the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, to order over lingering crises in Rivers.

    Prof. Benjamin Okaba, President, INC,  made the appeal at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Wike and Gov. Siminialayi Fubara are at loggerheads over the control of political machinery in the oil-rich state.

    Okaba said INC was concerned that if left unchecked the political crisis could affect other parts of the country.

    ‘’Mr President, sir, as the father of the nation, the alter ego of Nigeria, we are fervently appealing to you to call the FCT Minister to order.

    “This is for the sake of peace and security in Nigeria. Stop this drift towards national disintegration and anarchy now’’, he said.

    Okaba alleged that Wike’s power tussle with Fubara might not be unconnected with the minister’s desire to enhance Tinubu’s electoral fortunes in the next general polls.

    ‘’We understand the dictates of politics and the need to harvest Rivers votes for the President’s second tenure elections.

    “What we misunderstand is the thought that only the FCT minister can assist the President to win Rivers’’, Okoba said.

    He said Fubara had been faithful to Tinubu’s 8-point directive to both parties during the conflict resolution meeting held in Abuja.

    ‘’In October 2023 you called stakeholders to a meeting and tabled an 8-point directive to all parties involved to return peace to Rivers.

    ‘’Whereas many of our people considered your 8-Point directive as manifestly slanted against the governor’s interest and in favour of the FCT minister, the governor acceded to it,’’ he said.

    Okaba said that while governor acted in good faith with respect to the directive, the minister acted otherwise by refusing to withdraw the court cases instituted by him.

    He added that less than three weeks after the Presidential directives, Martins Amaewhule led 25 members the Rivers House of Assembly to defect to the opposition All People’s Congress.

    On the just-held local government election in the state, Okaba said that Fubara obeyed Supreme Court order that Local Government Areas in Nigeria must be administered by elected officers, without which funds must be withheld.

    He said Fubara worked assiduous to actualise the return of elected officers to the local government areas in accordance with Tinubu’s desires and backed by the Supreme Court judgement.

    He also said that Fubara holds permanent olive branches, sending constant peace emissaries to the FCT minister.

    ‘’So again we appeal to Mr President to call the FCT minister to order as a stitch in time, they say saves nine,’’ he said.

  • INC faults Tinubu over failure to address protesters’ demands

    INC faults Tinubu over failure to address protesters’ demands

    Following President Bola Tinubu’s Sunday nationwide broadcast, the Ijaw National Congress has expressed concerns stating that he failed to address the demands of ongoing protesters across Nigeria.

    Protesters have called for several key changes, including a reduction in petrol pump prices, improvements in living standards, cuts in the cost of governance, decreases in electricity tariffs, and solutions to escalating insecurity, among others.

    In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ezonebi Oyakemeagba, the INC criticised the President’s address for not adequately responding to the demands.

    “The president’s speech did not address the demands of Nigerians as expressed through the protesters,” the statement read.

    Oyakemeagba noted that while Tinubu highlighted some of his achievements, he overlooked critical issues, saying, “He didn’t address the issues of cost of governance, corruption, the removal of subsidies on petroleum products, or the increase in electricity tariffs. Nigerians expected concrete statements on how these issues would be tackled, including a timeframe for solutions.”

    He emphasised that the current economic climate is one of the worst in Nigeria’s history, lamenting, “The larger population of Nigerians is going through extreme poverty and hunger.

    “The clear message from the protesters is that there is hunger in the country, a direct result of bad policies. Reducing the pump price of petroleum products could alleviate many of the challenges we are facing.”

    The group also criticised the distribution of food aid by state governments, stating, “Imagine various state governments sharing rice and garri to citizens. This can only be experienced during war or natural disasters.”

     

  • Ijaw National Congress reacts over raid on Clark’s home

    Ijaw National Congress reacts over raid on Clark’s home

    The Ijaw National Congress (INC), has condemned the raid by the Nigerian Army on the country home of Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark in Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta.

    This is contained in a statement by Prof Benjamin Okaba, President, INC in Abuja on Saturday.

    Okaba said the raid by the military on the country home of 97 years old Clark, the leader of Pam-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), came to the INC as a rude shock.

    He said this was because the elder statesman only lives a life of service to his community and country and wondered why he would be treated with such disrespect.

    According to him, the raid, which Clark himself called an “invasion” occurred on the March, 23, as the said they were tracking the fleeing suspected in the recent murder of soldiers at Okuama, Delta.

    “The search, which was conducted in the most arduous and harrowing manner, came with harassment and physical torture of relatives, aides and other occupants of the compound.

    “The property was attacked from the air, land and water. So shocking, because not even Enscobar, Anini or the dreaded Oyenusi of old were treated in such gruesome manner”.

    The INC president recalled that on Sept. 4, 2018, a similar raid was conducted on the home of Clark, former minister of Information, in Abuja.

    He added that just like the current one, nothing incriminating was found, even then.

    “The INC is at loss why a 97 years old man who had lived a life of service to his community and country would be treated with such ignominy, disrespect and contempt.

    “Pa EK Clark has never been a violent person. He is not known to own a catapult or a jackknife in all his life.

    “He is rather a lawyer, crusader for justice, equity and fairness across Nigeria. He speaks for the voiceless and powerless. An incurable defender of the defenseless”, he said.

    Okaba said it was therefore the position of the INC that the actions by the Nigerian establishment was not accidental or based on wrong intelligence as they want it to be.

    According to him, to the INC, these are deliberate actions to silence, cow, intimidate, cajole one of the loudest and credible voices in the South/South and the Niger Delta Region.

    “The INC came to the conclusion, after observing that not a single person in the other regions of Nigeria with such social standing and connections to their people like EK Clark have been subjected to such humiliating and tortuous treatment.

    “Not even those that came out boldly to identify themselves as friends and ransom collectors for kidnappers and bandits.

    “These actions by the Nigerian State are totally unacceptable. Nigeria belongs to all of us.

    “Nobody should be treated as a second class citizen, not the least a man of honour like EK Clark, a revered and respected Izon icon”, he said.

    While insisting that a public apology be rendered to Clark and the military/he said federal government should take responsibility for fixing all damage caused during the raid and cautioned against a repeat.