The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has voiced strong opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s recent decision to dissolve the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, calling it a “provocation” to the Ijaw people and the wider Niger Delta region. This move, they argue, threatens to undo years of progress toward addressing the historical neglect of the oil-rich region.
In a press release titled “SCRAPPING THE NIGER DELTA MINISTRY: MR. PRESIDENT, WHY PROVOKE THE NIGER DELTA AND IJAW PEOPLE?”, INC President, Prof. Benjamin O. Okaba, expressed shock and dismay over the decision. He highlighted that the ministry, established by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, was a critical step in fast-tracking development and fostering peace in a region burdened by environmental degradation and social injustice. Since its inception, the ministry has been seen as essential for the progress and stability of the area.
“When President Tinubu assumed office, there were initial signals that the ministry might be scrapped,” Prof. Okaba noted. “Public backlash temporarily paused this, but the recent government reforms have blindsided the Niger Delta people, making them feel disregarded and marginalized.”
The INC statement underscored the frustration felt by many Niger Delta communities, who perceive the ministry’s dissolution as an attack on their rights and resources. “The Niger Delta remains a lifeline for Nigeria’s economy, yet our people continue to be marginalized,” the statement read, pointing out that other regions are benefiting from newly formed development commissions while the Niger Delta sees its established institutions dismantled.
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The INC has called on President Tinubu to immediately reverse the decision, warning that failure to do so could prompt the group to convene a meeting of Niger Delta ethnic representatives to formulate a collective response.
Prof. Okaba further criticized the administration for failing to adequately include Ijaw people in government appointments and accused it of tacitly supporting political tensions in the region. He emphasized that the people of the Niger Delta deserve respect and investment—not policies that undermine their well-being and economic contributions.
The INC’s statement also recalled past grievances, noting how the administration’s approach contrasts sharply with the treatment of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who faced significant opposition and criticism. Now, as tensions rise, the INC warns that continued disregard for the region could lead to intensified calls for justice and equity.
“Mr. President, we ask: What have the Niger Delta and Ijaw people done to deserve such treatment?” the statement concluded, capturing the INC’s call for an end to what they view as unjust policies that threaten the unity and progress of Nigeria’s vital Niger Delta region.
