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Ikwerre Group Rejects PIB Passage, Insists On 100 % Ownership
The Ikwerre People’s Congress (IPC) Worldwide has declared outright rejection of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) passed by the National Assembly, last Thursday, because according to the group, it typifies nothing worthy of celebration.
The group has also insisted that the Niger Delta region wants 100 per cent ownership rights of the proceeds from oil and gas.
The group took the decision in a statement, yesterday, and signed by the Chairman, Ikwerre People’s Congress (IPC) Worldwide, Livingstone Wechie; Vice Chairman, IPC Worldwide, Innocent Okocha; General Secretary, IPC Worldwide, Stanley Worgu; and Director, IPC Diaspora, Bright Chukwumati.
“Ikwerre and other ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta are the only producers of oil and gas in Nigeria from where the Nigerian state survives economically and so, have the authority to speak for themselves”.
According to the group, the PIB as structured was no doubt, in furtherance to the continuous asset stripping of their natural resources as a people and as a region by the Nigerian government.
It added that Federal Government’s passage of the bill was an indication of a continued ploy to occupy and possess Niger Delta resources through coercive means and illegitimate instruments without the people’s voluntary consent.
The IPC berated the National Assembly members of the Niger Delta extraction, who allowed themselves to partake in what they called “injustice” without staging a walkout, as “a disgrace and enemies of our region”.
The Ikwerre group declared that the three percent proceeds of the resources from the Niger Delta region to host communities, was ridiculous and insulting.
The group said, “The most ridiculous and insulting allocation of three percent proceeds to host communities truly define the unjust and repressive posture of the Federal Government which continues to undermine minority rights in this country.
“It continues to be that as long as Nigeria continues to unitarily sequester our assets without allowing the ancestral owners of land and natural resources to determine their economic future as of right in the principle of federalism as is applicable all over the world, the economic injustice meted on our people will naturally continue to breed instability.
“It is unfortunate that the value of oil and gas for host communities in the eyes of government is rated at 3% while the Federal Government who have no legitimate rights ab initio over the resources will keep the rest hidden under veiled technical arrangements.
“This is more horrendous given the fact that the said host communities have been left to their fate to grapple with environmental degradation that has denied them livelihood. The danger ahead is that as the world transits into alternative energy, Niger Delta, stripped of livelihood, stands as the biggest loser because its environment is criminally destroyed with the Federal Government looking the other way”.
The IPC maintained that the Federal Government has capacity to do the needful in the interest of justice, although it and certain extremists have wistfully laid claim to Niger Delta Oil and Gas assets.
“We state that our irreducible minimum demand in agreement with all ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta is a 100 percent ownership right of our lands, seas, oil and gas assets in the interest of justice, as we can no longer continue to bear the forced burden of the survival of Nigeria”.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene