Ijaw leaders in Edo State demand kingdom recognition and autonomy

Leaders of five Ijaw kingdoms in Edo State—Egbema, Olodiama, Okomu, Gbaran, and Furupagha—are demanding formal recognition and autonomy, alleging decades of marginalization by the state government and the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

At a press conference in the Gelegbene community, representatives accused authorities of treating Ijaw-speaking populations as “second-class citizens” and deliberately splitting their communities to deny them a collective political voice. The leaders are calling for the presentation of the Staff of Office to their rulers and the creation of three indigenous Ijaw Local Government Development Areas.

To resolve longstanding tensions, the group is also seeking boundary adjustments that would allow their communities to join kinsmen in the neighboring Delta and Ondo states. They argue this would provide “better assimilation and development” and help prevent recurring conflicts with Bini communities. The Edo State Government has rejected allegations of marginalization, stating that Governor Okpebholo has appointed Ijaw individuals to political positions.