Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa

A leading Vice Presidential aspirant of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), in the March 7 national executive council polls of the apex socio-cultrual organisation of the Ijaw ethnic group, Chief Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, has reaffirmed his commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to expedite the creation of other homogeneous Ijaw states.

Oyakemeagbegha, who is also the outgoing National Publicity Secretary of INC, stated that creating Toru-Ebe and Oil Rivers states is a key aspect of his manifesto.

Addressing newsmen in Yenagoa, Oyakemeagbegha emphasized that his drive for new states aims to build on the achievements of the outgoing INC national executive council led by Prof. Benjamin Okaba.

He described the Ijaw as the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria, stressing that they have been marginalized and neglected for too long.

Oyakemeagbegha noted that Ijaw land has been the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, with its territories balkanised across various parts of the country. He recalled his late father, Chief J.O. Oyakemeagbegha, was the pioneer Chairman of the Toru-Ebe State creation movement.

“Today I stand as the outgoing Publicity Secretary of the INC, and leading aspirant for the position of its first Vice President in the March 7th, 2026 national executive council elections,” he said.

”One of the major items in my manifesto is to consolidate on the achievements of the outgoing NEC, and also take the clamour for the creation of additional states for the Ijaw nation, especially our long awaited Toru-Ebe and Oil Rivers States.

“If elected Vice President, I will work with stakeholders to take the struggle for the creation of Toru-Ebe and Oil Rivers states to the next level,” he said. “Our fathers and ancestors will be proud of us when we succeed.”