Debunking The Ijaw Minority Myth: A Response To Nyesom Wike

Ijaw Nation Congress Challenges Nyesom Wike’s Claim About Ijaws Being a Minority Group

Naija News has been following the recent political drama involving Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and his remarks about the Ijaws being a minority ethnic group in Nigeria. But guess what? The President of the Ijaw Nation Congress, Professor Benjamin Okaba, isn’t holding back. He’s calling out Wike’s comments as nothing short of a reckless distortion of facts.

This whole situation came to light when Wike made these claims during a press briefing addressing the ongoing political tensions between him and Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara. But let’s hear what Professor Okaba, a respected sociologist and leader of the Ijaw Nation Congress, had to say about it.

Professor Okaba Weighs In

In an exclusive interview on Arise Television’s ‘The Morning Show’ on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, Professor Okaba laid it all out. He described Wike as a careless speaker whose words often seem influenced by factors like alcohol. Now, that’s a bold statement, but Okaba backed it up with some serious facts.

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According to Okaba, the Ijaws aren’t just any ethnic group—they’re one of the four largest in Nigeria. And here’s the kicker: their influence extends far beyond land borders, into the rivers and waterways that define much of Nigeria’s geography. He emphasized that the Ijaws are the most populous ethnic group in the Niger Delta region, spanning six states including Bayelsa, Abia, Delta, Edo, Ondo, and Rivers. This isn’t just speculation—it’s a well-documented demographic reality.

Setting the Record Straight

Okaba didn’t stop there. He urged President Bola Tinubu to take note of Wike’s inflammatory rhetoric and ensure that no single individual undermines the democratic progress being made in Nigeria. In his words, Wike is nothing outside the government structure, and his comments reflect a lack of understanding of basic demographics.

Here’s how Okaba put it: “The person you’re talking about 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.”

“Most times, we look at the land mass, but the land mass in terms of space cannot exist outside a water space. So the boundaries of the Ijawland—or maybe Nigeria beyond land—it goes into the rivers. From wherever that is a boundary of Nigeria, all those river spots belong to the Ijawland.”

Why This Matters

Okaba further clarified that the Ijaws are not a minority group. In fact, they are the most populous and most indigenous ethnic nationality in the Niger Delta. He pointed out that the Ijaws are present in six states, with significant populations in Abia, where 26 communities are indigenous Ijaw people. In Delta State, there are more than four local government areas dominated by the Ijaws, and in Rivers State, they control 10 and a half local government areas. The Ikwerre ethnic group holds three of those areas.

He added, “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. These are facts that cannot be ignored or dismissed.”

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In conclusion, Okaba’s response serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of accurate representation and respect for ethnic diversity in Nigeria. This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about identity, history, and the future of a nation that thrives on unity and understanding.