February 10, 2025
His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
Aso Rock Presidential Villa,
Abuja, Nigeria
Your Excellency,
Members of the Ijaw Diaspora Council (IDC), whose global headquarters is situated in the United States of America, with administrative offices in the United Kingdom and Australia, and representing the entire Ijaw Diaspora worldwide, write this letter with the weight of history pressing upon them. We come bearing the collective voice of a people whose enduring struggles for justice, equity, and recognition have remained unmet for far too long. This letter is not a mere entreaty, but a fair, respectful, and resolute demand for the establishment of two distinct states—Toru-Ebe and Oil Rivers out of the existing Ijaw Territory—within the Nigerian federation. This call arises from the profound historical contributions along with other ethnic nationalities in the struggle leading to the independence of Nigeria in 1960. We also wish to remind Mr. President of the just and inalienable demands of the Ijaw people, who have, for generations, been systematically marginalized and silenced, despite their overwhelming political, economic and financial contributions to the continued unity, peace, security and prosperity of the nation.
The Ijaw people have long been subjected to political subjugation with fragmentation aimed to deprive, systemic neglect, and environmental degradation, despite their indispensable role in the prosperity of the Nigerian state. The history of our struggle is one of relentless resistance against exploitation, beginning with those of our forebears, and most recently, with that of Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro’s audacious declaration of the Niger Delta Republic in 1966. Although branded as a rebellion, his courageous act was, in truth, a profound protest against the socio-economic deprivation and environmental violations inflicted upon our land. The spirit of resilience that defined Boro’s actions continues to inspire many, embodied by an unbroken line of Ijaw leaders who have dared to challenge the forces that seek to undermine our honor,dignity and heritage.
Among them are Minority Kingpin, Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye, the indomitable King Alfred Diete-Spiff, whose leadership styles in both the colonial and the turbulent post-colonial era continues to inspire a sense of pride and autonomy within the Ijaw people; Chief Melford Okilo, whose pioneering advocacy for the Niger Delta’s self-determination laid the groundwork for future political movements; Chief Edwin Clark, whose unwavering voice has echoed across the corridors of power, demanding justice and equity for the Ijaw and all marginalized peoples of Nigeria; Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas and other equally patriotic and nationalistic sons and daughters of the Ijaw land, whose contributions to the social and political landscape of the Niger Delta have helped define the region’s identity, stability and peaceful co-existence with other regions in the face of systemic injustice.
These leaders, along with many others, including our vibrant youths, who have fought valiantly for our rights, serve as a testament to the unyielding resolve of the Ijaw people. Their collective efforts continue to fuel our demands for political autonomy, equitable representation, resources ownership and control within a True Fiscal Federal System of Government. It is their legacy of resistance and determination that sustains our call for justice and the creation of Toru-Ebe and Oil Rivers States—an imperative that will allow the Ijaw people to at least being justifiably integrated within the Nigerian federation.
For over six decades, the Ijaw people—the fourth-largest and oldest ethnic group in Nigeria—have been denied the political coherence necessary to actualize their developmental aspirations. The demand for the creation of Toru-Ebe and Oil Rivers States is not simply a call for administrative restructuring; it is a clarion cry for justice, equity, and the survival of a people whose sacrifices for the peace, stability, socio-economic growth and development, and infrastructural transformation of Nigeria have long been taken for granted.
A HISTORY OF STRUGGLE AND MARGINALIZATION
The Ijaw people, indigenous to the Niger Delta region, are dispersed across the states of Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Ondo, Edo, and Akwa Ibom. They are justly entitled to the establishment of at least six states derived from these extant regions, as the arbitrary partitioning erodes their political influence, consigning them to perpetual minority status in each state into which they have been fragmented. This fragmentation, borne of colonial and post-colonial administrative imperatives, has engendered the denial of a cohesive political structure capable of advancing the Ijaw people’s development and prosperity. The absence of such unity has precipitated the enduring affliction of Ijaw communities, subject to calamitous pollution and environmental degradation. The creation of at least two states for the Ijaw people will offer a viable avenue to address the ecological destruction and public health crises that have plagued the Ijaw people of the Niger Delta.
Despite bearing the weight of Nigeria’s oil wealth, which accounts for over 80% of the nation’s revenue, Ijaw lands remain a tragic juxtaposition of extreme poverty, ecological destruction, and infrastructural neglect. The oil wealth extracted from Ijaw lands fuels national progress, yet the Ijaw people continue to languish in abject deprivation. Successive administrations with good intent to ameliorate these suffering have failed in application to address these injustices, leaving the Ijaw people with no other recourse but to demand the creation of two more Ijaw states—one from the western flank (Delta, Edo, Ondo) and another from the eastern flank (Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Rivers).
THE INESCAPABLE REALITY OF IJAW MARGINALIZATION
From the colonial era’s arbitrary boundary demarcations to post-independence boundary adjustments and state formations, the Ijaw people have been systematically dispersed across various states— Akwa Ibom, Delta, Edo, Ondo, and Rivers. This fragmentation has perpetuated their minority status and limited their ability to fully participate in governance or to control their collective destiny to address environmental damages and sufferings. The singular creation of Bayelsa State remains an insufficient remedy to this historical injustice, yet we acknowledged that as a step in the right direction.
Economic Disparity: The Ijaw territories, which house Nigeria’s four major oil export terminals—Bonny, Escravos, Forcados, and Qua Iboe—are rich in oil and gas resources but remain among the most underdeveloped regions in the country. Despite generating substantial national wealth, federal allocations to these areas remain disproportionately low, and essential infrastructure remains virtually non-existent.
Environmental Degradation: The environmental toll on the Ijaw homeland is catastrophic. Oil spills, gas flaring, deforestation, flood and erosion, and pollution have colossally ravaged the ecosystem, displacing countless families and eroding traditional livelihoods. Government initiatives, including those by the Niger Delta Development Commission, have proven ineffective in remedying these existential threats.
WHY TORU-EBE STATE MUST BE CREATED: A POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC NECESSITY
Toru-Ebe State is envisioned as a political and economic refuge for the Ijaw people in Delta, Edo, and Ondo States—a unified entity that will amplify the political and environmental problem-solving voice of the Ijaw people, for the Ijaw people, and for the Ijaw environment, ensuring timely damage control in Nigeria and restoring their rightful autonomy for that purpose.
1. Redressing Political Balkanization: For decades, the Ijaw people in these regions have been divided, systematically reduced to a minority in multiple states, and denied the opportunity to exercise their collective political will. Toru-Ebe will unite these communities into a cohesive political entity, enabling them to assert their rightful place in both state and national governance, while also ensuring timely environmental protection, as they are intrinsically connected to the land they inhabit.
2. Harnessing Economic Potential: With its abundant oil and gas reserves, fertile fisheries, and agricultural potential, Toru-Ebe will not only make a substantial contribution to national revenue but will also leverage its economic resources to promote sustainable development for its people. A dedicated Ijaw state will address the glaring development deficit that has long plagued the region, ensuring a more equitable and sustainable distribution of national wealth.
3. Ensuring Greater Peace & Amity: Ethnic tensions in the Niger Delta stem primarily from political exclusion and the inequitable distribution of resources, and unsolved damages to environmental livelihoods. The creation of Toru-Ebe will foster an environment of inclusivity, where ethnic communities can coexist peacefully, underpinned by shared prosperity and political representation.
WHY OIL RIVERS STATE IS A MATTER OF SURVIVAL: A SHIELD AGAINST ANNIHILATION
Oil Rivers State will encompass Ijaw communities in Rivers and Akwa Ibom, empowering them to reclaim their heritage, restore their dignity, and regain political leverage.
1. Environmental Justice: The Ijaw homeland has suffered some of the world’s most severe environmental catastrophes. A state dedicated to the Ijaw people will enable them to enact and enforce policies to protect their land, waterways, and biodiversity, ensuring environmental justice for future generations.
2. Development and Federal Presence: The Ijaw people are severely underrepresented in infrastructural development. Oil Rivers State will serve as an administrative hub, attracting federal investment and fostering international partnerships that will spur development in sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture/fisheries, blue economy,transportation etc. This will also serve as a catalyst for preserving Ijaw culture, language, and heritage, which are under existential threat due to political inequity and fragmentation.
THE UNFULFILLED PROMISES AND BROKEN TRUST: A SYMPHONY OF RESILIENCE AND UNYIELDING STRUGGLE
The echoes of the Ijaw people’s demands for justice and equity resound deeply within the heart of Nigerian history, from the selfless sacrifices of Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye, Major Isaac Adaka Boro to the steadfast efforts of illustrious statesmen such as Chief Melford Okilo, Chief Edwin Clark and Ijaw youths. However, despite these heroic endeavors, the Ijaw people remain ensnared in the web of broken and failed promises and systemic denial of their inherent rights and privileges.
1. In 1966, Major Isaac Adaka Boro’s revolt was not a mere act of insurrection but rather an impassioned outcry against the brutal exploitation of his people. His courageous stand was an unequivocal declaration that the Ijaw people would not be silenced, that their voices would not be buried beneath the weight of indifference on the part of the federal government. It was a clarion call for recognition and justice that transcended the moment and became a lasting symbol of resistance against marginalization, not only in Ijaw land but Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole.
2. Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye’s advocacy for a federal system that honored and accommodated Nigeria’s ethnic minorities remains a dream deferred, unfulfilled in the face of entrenched political manipulations and the systematic erasure of minority voices. His vision for a more inclusive federation, where the dignity and rights of all peoples are acknowledged and upheld, remains an unachieved ideal, thwarted at every turn by those who prioritize power over equity.
3. The enduring legacy of Chief Melford Okilo and Chief Edwin Clark—two stalwart champions of the Ijaw cause—speaks to the deep resilience and the unity and focused Ijaw struggle. Their tireless advocacy has illuminated the path toward justice, yet the painful reality persists that their calls have often been disregarded or ignored with impunity.Their sacrifices underscore the painful paradox: while the strength of their leadership has been undeniable, the promise of justice for the Ijaw people has remained elusive.
This symphony of resilience, composed of generations of unwavering struggle, echoes louder still as the Ijaw people, undeterred by the failures of the past, continue to press forward in their quest for justice, equity, and dignity. The Ijaw’s patience and studied silence in the face of unfulfilled promises and broken trust are not a reflection of weakness but of an enduring strength—one that will not be crushed by the weight of overbearing taskmasters who twist history to suit their whims and caprices. The Ijaw people shall certainly rise again to demand the recognition and respect they have long deserved and sought in a country where their petroleum resources significantly contribute to the greatness of the Nigerian state.
A HUMANITARIAN IMPERATIVE: A CALL TO CONSCIENCE AND JUSTICE
This is not a plea for political favoritism or opportunistic gain; it is a clarion call anchored in the immutable principles of justice, equity, and the unassailable right of the Ijaw people to self-determination. For generations, the Ijaw have selflessly offered their land, resources, and cultural heritage to sustain the Nigerian state, yet their sacrifices have been met with injustice, neglect, and disdain. Worse still, their oil wealth has been forcefully seized—guarded by boots on the ground and sanctioned by a constitution widely regarded as unrepresentative and ill-conceived.
The demand for the creation of Toru-Ebe and Oil Rivers States is, therefore, not merely a request; it is a profound demand for a more just, equitable, and inclusive Nigeria. It is a demand that seeks to right the historical wrongs and inequities faced by the Ijaw people and to restore their rightful place within the Nigerian federation. This is a matter that transcends political rhetoric and touches the very soul of Nigeria’s conscience.
At this critical juncture in Nigeria’s history, the nation stands at a crossroads. The path chosen will not only shape the future of the Ijaw people but will also define the destiny of the entire country. This moment calls for decisive leadership—pragmatic and selfless in its calling—for the fulfillment of promises long made and long broken, and for the creation of a Nigeria that embodies fairness, justice, and equity for all its people.
As the Bible reminds us in Proverbs 29:14 (NIV): “If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will be established forever.” True leadership must be rooted in justice and the equitable treatment of all citizens, lest the foundations of governance be weakened by broken promises and neglect.Likewise, the Qur’an commands in Surah An-Nisa (4:58): “Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing.” Leadership is a trust, and those in power are duty-bound to uphold justice and fairness for all.
Now is the time for Nigeria to rise to this sacred duty—to govern with integrity, honor commitments, and build a nation where equity and justice prevail. It is time for Nigeria to fulfill not only its moral but also its legal obligation to the Ijaw people by releasing its actuation gears from the pedal of injustice and firmly engaging the pedal of justice. This is the moment to grant them the justice they have long been denied and to establish the conditions for a stable, prosperous, and truly united nation. The right decision made today will reverberate through history as a testament to the country’s commitment to justice, fairness, and equity in the administration of the Nigerian state and its diverse peoples.
THE URGENT CALL TO ACTION: A DEFINING MOMENT FOR JUSTICE, EQUITY, NATIONAL STABILITY AND SECURITY
This is not merely a technical adjustment within the administrative machinery—it is an imperative for survival and a defining moment for the future of the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole. The creation of Toru-Ebe and Oil Rivers States is not a political expediency; it is a moral and legal responsibility, an urgent step towards preserving the fragile peace we are experiencing today, securing stability, and averting further conflict within the region—a duty we owe to the region and one that has, in part, informed our demand. The creation of these states will offer a crucial pathway to the empowerment of the Ijaw people and the continued peaceful resolution of systemic inequities, both in the region and the country. We implore the President of Nigeria, the Senate President, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to prioritize this critical demand within the framework of the ongoing constitutional review process, recognizing the inescapable necessity of this action and the potential constitutional roadblocks, and to support these demands to the fullest.
CONCLUSION: A DECISION FOR POSTERITY
Mr. President, this moment calls for unparalleled courage, vision, and unwavering moral clarity. To deny the creation of Toru-Ebe and Oil Rivers States is to allow the perpetuation of a painful history—marked by political exclusion, environmental devastation, and systemic disenfranchisement. Conversely, to grant the establishment of these states is to affirm Nigeria’s dedication to the values of justice, equity, and human dignity for all its people, regardless of ethnic origin or geographic circumstance.
This is not simply a request for the restoration of rights; it is a solemn pledge for the promise of a fairer, more equitable participation of the Ijaws in the political and administrative framework of Nigeria, where no man is oppressed.
Let history etch an enduring tribute to the fortitude and discernment of the Nigerian government in this epoch-defining moment. Mr. President, the time for decisive action is now.
Signed for and on behalf of Ijaw Diaspora Council, USA, Professor (Amb.) Mondy Selle Gold, PhD, LFP, FCILG, FEBS, President, Recipient of the distinguished CSU Best Faculty Spotlight Award and the highly esteemed United States President’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
