The President of the Ijaw National Congress, Professor Benjamin Okaba, has dismissed recent remarks made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, labeling him as a reckless speaker who often makes statements under the influence of alcohol.
Prof. Okaba made this assertion while reacting to Wike’s claim that the Ijaws are a minority ethnic group in Nigeria.
The minister’s controversial comment came amid his political feud with his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, an Ijaw man.
Speaking on The Morning Show on Arise Television on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, Okaba dismissed Wike’s remark as baseless, emphasizing that the Ijaws are one of Nigeria’s four largest ethnic groups, with a presence that extends beyond the nation’s land boundaries.
“The person you’re talking about (Wike) could say anything under the influence of alcohol and later deny it. He is a very careless speaker,” Okaba stated.
“Ijaws are not just the fourth largest ethnic group; they are one of the four largest. Many people focus on landmass, but the truth is that Nigeria’s boundaries extend into water, and all the riverine areas within those boundaries belong to the Ijaw people.”
He further asserted that the Ijaws are the most populous indigenous group in the Niger Delta, with a widespread presence across six states.
“We are not a minority. In fact, we are the most populous and indigenous ethnic nationality in the Niger Delta. That is a well-known fact,” Okaba affirmed.
Apart from Bayelsa State, he noted that Ijaw communities are found in Delta, Edo, Ondo, Rivers, and Abia States.
He accused Wike of deliberately distorting historical and demographic facts to suit his political agenda.
“They are in Abia—26 communities in Abia State are indigenous Ijaw people. In Delta State, we have more than four local government areas. Even in Rivers State, the Ijaws occupy ten and a half local government areas, while the Ikwerre people have just three. Forget those who manipulated census figures; when the time comes for real counting, the truth will be revealed. Ijaws are also in Ondo and Edo States,” he stated.
Prof. Okaba then urged President Bola Tinubu to prevent Wike from undermining democratic governance in Nigeria, stressing that the minister holds no real political strength outside of government.
