The President of the Ijaw National Congress, Professor Benjamin Okaba, has criticized the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for his recent statement regarding the Ijaw ethnic group, describing him as a reckless speaker whose words are often influenced by alcohol.
Okaba made this assertion in response to Wike’s claim that the Ijaws are a minority ethnic group in Nigeria.
The minister’s remarks, which came amidst his ongoing political rift with his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, have sparked controversy.
During an interview on The Morning Show on Arise Television on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, Okaba dismissed Wike’s claim as baseless, emphasizing that the Ijaw people are one of the four largest ethnic groups in Nigeria, with a presence that extends beyond land territories.
“The person in question (Wike) often speaks without caution and later backtracks. He is a reckless speaker,” Okaba stated. “Ijaws are not just among the largest ethnic groups; their presence extends beyond land borders into Nigeria’s riverine areas, which are part of our heritage.”
He further asserted that the Ijaws are the most populous indigenous group in the Niger Delta, with communities spread across multiple states.
“We are not a minority group. In fact, we are the most widespread and indigenous ethnic nationality in the Niger Delta, and this is a well-documented fact,” he said.
Okaba explained that, beyond Bayelsa State, Ijaw communities exist in Delta, Edo, Ondo, Rivers, and Abia States.
He accused Wike of deliberately misrepresenting historical and demographic facts for political reasons.
“There are 26 Ijaw communities in Abia State alone. In Delta State, we have more than four local government areas, and in Rivers State, Ijaw people occupy ten and a half local government areas, while the Ikwerre have only three. Census figures have often been manipulated, but the truth will come out when a proper population count is conducted. Ijaw people are also found in Ondo and Edo States,” he explained.
Prof. Okaba called on President Bola Tinubu to prevent Wike from undermining democratic governance in Nigeria, stressing that the minister holds no real influence outside of government power.