Politics

Wike, An Abomination To Ijaw People, Says INC President, Okaba

Published

8 months ago

April 2, 2025

…says 95% of Ijaw feel aggrieved

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

The President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba, has condemned Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, as an “abomination” to the Ijaw ethnic group.

Okaba’s remarks come in light of Wike’s controversial statements regarding the political crisis in Rivers State, particularly his comments about the Ijaw people and their representation in governance.

Okaba stated that Wike’s actions and reckless remarks have left 95% of the Ijaw-speaking population feeling aggrieved, with ongoing investigations into the sentiments of the remaining 5% to ascertain their true identity as Ijaw.

Wike recently claimed that without his influence, the Ijaw would not have been able to produce a governor, asserting that they are a “minority of the minorities.”

His comments also included disrespectful remarks about the late Edwin Clark, a prominent Ijaw and Niger Delta leader.

During an appearance on Arise Television’s ‘The Morning Show’ on April 2, 2025, Okaba dismissed Wike’s statements as careless, suggesting they may have been made under the influence of alcohol.

He emphasized that the Ijaw are one of Nigeria’s four largest ethnic groups, with territories extending beyond land borders into waterways.

“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,” Okaba stated.

He elaborated that the Ijaw are not a minority but rather the most populous and indigenous ethnic group in the Niger Delta, with significant populations in six states, including Bayelsa, Abia, Delta, Edo, Ondo, and Rivers.

Okaba criticized Wike’s recent actions, particularly regarding planned rallies in Bayelsa, which he believes are exacerbating political tensions in the region.

He described the situation as a “deliberate distortion” of the political landscape, accusing Wike of manipulating events for personal gain rather than the benefit of the Ijaw people.

“Wike’s actions have insulted the very soul of the Ijaw people,” Okaba remarked, condemning the minister’s provocative statements that have heightened tensions.

He expressed concern over the potential security risks associated with the upcoming rallies, stating that he cannot guarantee the safety of attendees given the widespread anger towards Wike.

Okaba warned that removing Governor Siminalayi Fubara could further escalate tensions, revealing that over 95% of Ijaw people are currently aggrieved and may react violently if the situation continues to deteriorate.

He urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure that one individual does not undermine efforts to maintain democracy in Nigeria, asserting that Wike’s actions are detrimental to the Ijaw community and the broader Niger Delta region.

Politics

Adebayo Adedamola Wins Osun PDP Governorship Primary

Published

16 hours ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Adebayo Olugbenga Adedamola, popularly known as FRYO, has emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for the August 8, 2026 governorship election in Osun State.

The primary election took place in Osogbo on Tuesday amid heavy security presence.

Announcing the result, chairman of the primary election committee, Humphrey Abba, stated that Adebayo secured 919 votes out of 957 accredited ballots, giving him a clear victory in the contest.

Explaining that there were 20 void votes following the withdrawal of one of the candidates, believed to be Governor Ademola Adeleke, Abba added, “The candidate that got the remaining votes is Adebayo Adedamola with 919 votes and he stands elected and returned.”

DAILY POST reports that despite announcing his resignation from the party, Adeleke’s name appeared on the ballot paper for the PDP governorship primary.

Party officials said the exercise was conducted in accordance with established guidelines, with accredited delegates participating in the voting process.

Adeleke announced his resignation in a letter dated November 4, 2025, and addressed to the PDP leadership at his ward.

On Monday, Osun PDP chairman, Sunday Bisi, had announced that the governorship primary slated for Tuesday, December 2, 2025, has been postponed due to leadership crisis at the national level.

But a faction of the party went ahead with the exercise in Osogbo on Tuesday.

Politics

Gov Adeleke Resigns From PDP

Published

1 day ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial primaries of the party.

Adeleke’s resignation letter, dated November 4, 2025, sighted by Tribune Online was addressed to the PDP ward chairman for Ward 2, Sagba Abogunde, Ede, Osun State.

According to the letter, the governor’s resignation was based on “the current crisis of the national leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).”

According to the letter, titled: “Resignation of my membership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’ read, “Due to the current crisis of the national leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), I hereby resign my Membership of the People’s Democratic Party with immediate effect.

“I thank the People’s Democratic Party for the opportunities given to me for my elections as a Senator (Represented Osun West) and as Governor of Osun State under the People’s Democratic Party.”

Politics

Tinubu Sends Ex-INEC Chair, Former Oyo First Lady, 30 Additional Ambassadorial Nominees To Senate

Published

4 days ago

November 29, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has forwarded 32 additional ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation, just days after submitting an initial batch of three names.

In two separate letters to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the President urged the upper chamber to consider and swiftly confirm 15 career diplomats and 17 non-career nominees.

The list includes four women among the career nominees and six women among the non-career nominees.

Prominent names on the non-career list include Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu from Abia State; former presidential aide, Reno Omokri (Delta); former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmud Yakubu; former Ekiti First Lady, Erelu Angela Adebayo; and former Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Others are former Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Tasiu Musa Maigari; former Plateau State Commissioner, Yakubu N. Gambo; and former Deputy Executive Secretary of UBEC, Yakubu K. Musa.

Also nominated are former Plateau senator, Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut; former Lagos Deputy Governor, Otunba Femi Pedro; former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode; and Barrister Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu from Anambra State.

Additional nominees include former Oyo First Lady, Fatima Florence Ajimobi; former Lagos Commissioner, Lola Akande; former Adamawa senator, Grace Bent; former Abia governor, Victor Okezie Ikpeazu; Senator Jimoh Ibrahim of Ondo State; and former envoy to the Holy See, Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu (Benue).

The career ambassadorial nominees are Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia), Yakubu Nyaku Danladi (Taraba), Miamuna Ibrahim Besto (Adamawa), Musa Musa Abubakar (Kebbi), Syndoph Paebi Endoni (Bayelsa), Chima Geoffrey Lioma David (Ebonyi), and Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim (Ogun).

Others include Abimbola Samuel Reuben (Ondo), Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah (Edo), Hamza Mohammed Salau (Niger), Ambassador Shehu Barde (Katsina), Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno), Ambassador Muhammad Saidu Dahiru (Kaduna), Ambassador Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari (Kwara), and Ambassador Wahab Adekola Akande (Osun).

The new nominees are expected to be deployed to countries with which Nigeria maintains strong and strategic diplomatic relations, including China, India, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, South Africa, and Kenya, as well as to Permanent Missions such as the United Nations, UNESCO, and the African Union.

Their specific postings will be determined after Senate confirmation.

Recall that President Tinubu, last week, forwarded three ambassadorial nominees, Ambassador Ayodele Oke (Oyo), Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu (Jigawa), and retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are (Ogun), who are being considered for postings to the UK, USA, or France.

President Tinubu said additional ambassadorial nominations will be announced in due course.