The President of the Ijaw National Congress, Professor Benjamin Okaba, has slammed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, accusing him of making reckless statements, often under the influence of alcohol.
Okaba made the remarks while reacting to Wike’s claim that the Ijaw people are a minority ethnic group in Nigeria.
The FCT Minister sparked controversy while addressing journalists on his political rift with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, an Ijaw man who succeeded him as Rivers State governor.
Speaking on Arise Television’s The Morning Show on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, Prof. Okaba, a professor of sociology, dismissed Wike’s statement as baseless and misleading.
Okaba made it known that the Ijaws are among the four largest ethnic groups in Nigeria, with their territories extending beyond land into the country’s riverine areas.
He said, “The person you’re talking about (Wike) could say anything under the influence of alcohol and later debunk it; he is a very careless speaker. These are basic demographics that are well-known. Ijaws are not the fourth largest; they are one of the four largest.
The professor further explained that the Ijaw people are the most populous and indigenous ethnic nationality in the Niger Delta, spreading across six states.
“We are not minorities. In fact, we are the most populous and most indigenous ethnic nationality in the Niger Delta, that’s a fact that is well known. Ijaws are in six states,” he said.
Okaba listed Abia, Delta, Edo, Ondo, and Rivers as states where the Ijaw people are indigenous, apart from Bayelsa. He accused Wike of deliberately distorting facts.
“They are in Abia. 26 communities in Abia State are indigenous Ijaw people. So we felt that was a deliberate distortion. In Delta State, we have more than four local government areas; even in Rivers State, we have 10 and a half local government areas, and Ikwerre has three. Forget about those who distorted political census figures; when the time comes for real counting, we shall know them. Ijaws are in Ondo State; they are in Edo State,” he added.
Prof. Okaba urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure that Wike does not derail efforts to strengthen democracy in Nigeria, asserting that the minister is powerless outside the corridors of government.
