The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Western Zone has expressed its dissatisfaction over what they described as skewed marginalisation of the Ijaw people in Edo State. In a statement, they say despite contributing to Gov Okpebholo’s victory, Ijaws are are not represented in his government and their communities lack infrastructure.
IYC further noted that the Ijaws contributed to Edo’s oil wealth but see no benefits. They are calling on Gov Okpebholo to address Ijaw concerns and include them in governance.
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PRESS STATEMENT
02/12/2025
GOVERNOR OKPEBHOLO’S ONE YEAR IN OFFICE: EDO IJAW’S NEGLECT TOO UNJUST — IYC
The leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Western Zone, expresses deep dissatisfaction with the continued neglect of the Ijaw people in Edo State. As the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo marks one year in office, it has become necessary for the Ijaws in Edo State to speak out against the persistent marginalisation of the Ijaw political class, Traditional institutions and the ongoing abandonment of Ijaw communities.
It is important to remind the Governor that the Ijaw nation mobilised massive support across the five Ijaw clans in Edo State to ensure his victory at the polls. Our voice was loud, our mobilisation was firm, and our votes counted significantly toward the success of this administration.
Regrettably, one year after, this government has not deemed it necessary to appoint a single individual from the Ijaw extraction, nor has it addressed the glaring infrastructure deficit in our communities and also leaving our traditional issues unattended to, Despite our enormous contributions to the state’s treasury through natural and human resources, Edo Ijaws remain conspicuously absent in the State Executive Council. The absence of even one Ijaw Commissioner speaks volumes and undermines the support our people continue to extend to this administration.
The Ijaw areas are the bedrock of the state’s oil wealth, the same wealth that qualifies Edo State as an oil-producing state and entitles it to the 13% derivation fund. Yet, there is no visible reflection of this revenue in our communities. We state this not out of bitterness or entitlement, but as a call for fairness, equity, and justice.
Your Excellency, as you celebrate your first anniversary in office, we urge you to also reflect on the traditional, development needs and rightful inclusion of the Ijaw nation. Governance must be inclusive, and no ethnic group should feel alienated or sidelined.
We urge the Governor to have a rethink so it doesn’t take to another form of agitation in the state where we contribute so much to sustain.
Signed:
Comr. Nicholas Igrama
Chairman, IYC Western Zone
Barr. Ebi Joshua Olowolayemo
Secretary
Comr. Tare Magbei
Information Officer
