The people of Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State have renewed their demand for justice and equity over what they described as a lingering injustice arising from the amended Kogi State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (KOSOPADEC) Law of July 2025.
In a statement of reminder, Ibaji stakeholders said the continued silence by the state government and the House of Assembly is deepening feelings of marginalization.
They said the amended KOSOPADEC Law of July 2025 is repugnant, oppressive, and unjust to the Ibaji people and is therefore rejected in its entirety.
The oil-producing community expressed concern that despite exhaustive consultations, formal submissions, and peaceful engagements, no concrete steps have been taken to address their grievances months after a communiqué was submitted to relevant authorities.
The reminder follows an expanded Ibaji Stakeholders’ meeting held on 30 September 2025 at the residence of the Onu Ibaji and Chairman of the Ibaji Local Government Traditional Council, HRH (Dr.) John O. Egwemi, in G.R.A., Idah. The meeting, convened in line with directives earlier issued by the state government after a world press conference by Ibaji groups, brought together traditional rulers, political leaders, professionals, youth organisations, and community representatives.
After what was described as “exhaustive deliberations,” the stakeholders unanimously resolved that the principal KOSOPADEC Law enacted in December 2023 reflects equity, inclusiveness, due process, social justice, and compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
“The amendment should be repealed completely, with an immediate return to the principal law of 2023.”
The meeting also urged the Deputy Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly and Ibaji’s representative, Rt. Hon. Comfort Eggwaba, to initiate the appropriate legislative process to reverse the amendment. Stakeholders further reaffirmed their support for earlier resolutions issued jointly by the Ibaji Unity Forum, Ibaji Progressive Youth Foundation, and the National Ibaji Students Association.
Appealing directly to Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the statement said the people of Ibaji expected him to act in good faith to facilitate the repeal of the amended law.
“We appealed to His Excellency to act in good faith and facilitate the reversal of the amended law, while assuring him of the continued support of the Ibaji people,” the stakeholders said.
According to the statement, the absence of any response or legislative engagement since the submission of the communiqué has reinforced the perception that Ibaji’s concerns are being deliberately ignored.
“The silence that has followed has only deepened the feeling of marginalisation among the Ibaji people,” the statement noted, adding that the community had exhausted all democratic and lawful channels, including letters, consultations, press engagements, and stakeholder meetings.
Highlighting Ibaji’s political loyalty during the last elections, the stakeholders described the situation as “unjust and deeply disappointing.”
“Ibaji Local Government Area stood firmly with the present administration during the last elections, giving its votes and political support against all odds,” the statement said. “It is therefore unjust that a people who demonstrated such loyalty are now subjected to policies that undermine their dignity, voice, and future.”
In a stern warning, the statement emphasised that patience should not be mistaken for weakness.
“Ibaji is peace-loving despite the negligence, but we are not powerless. We are patient, but we are not foolish,” it declared. “We will not fold our arms and watch our collective interest eroded through silence and inaction.”
The stakeholders concluded by renewing their call on the governor and the Kogi State House of Assembly to urgently repeal the amended KOSOPADEC Law of July 2025 and restore the December 2023 principal law.
“Justice must prevail. Ibaji must be heard. Ibaji must not be ignored,” the statement asserted.
The reminder was signed by Ogah Mark Okpanachi, Stakeholder, Ibaji APC, on behalf of the people of Ibaji Local Government Area, Kogi State.
