We Will Use Carrot and Stick Approach to Secure Freedom For Ijaws in Edo” — N’Delta Activist, Ozobo

By Osaro Michael, Benin

Leading Niger Delta activist, Comrade Austin Ozobo, has said that Ijaws in Edo State will adopt a “carrot and stick approach” to actualize what he termed “self-determination and freedom” in the state after years of marginalization and captivity.

Ozobo, who is the National President of the Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative, IPDI, made the statement on Tuesday during a press briefing in Port Harcourt. He said the approach would combine dialogue, political engagement, and pressure tactics to address what he described as “years of political marginalization and neglect” of Ijaw people in Edo.

According to Ozobo, Ijaw communities are indigenous to several local government areas in Edo State, including Ovia North-East, Ovia South-West, and parts of Ikpoba-Okha.

“The carrot approach is dialogue, political participation, and working with the government to develop our areas. The stick approach is to resist any attempt to deny us our rights, representation, and development,” Ozobo stated.

He argued that despite contributing to the economy of Edo State through oil, fishing, trade, and political participation, Ijaw communities still lack basic infrastructure, political appointments, and recognition of the traditional institutions.

“We are not asking for war. We are asking for fairness. If the government of Edo chooses to listen and develop Ijaw areas, we will work with them. But if they choose to continue the marginalization, then we will use every democratic and lawful means available to demand freedom and self-governance,” he added.

The Ijaws are one of the major ethnic groups in the Niger Delta. In Edo State, they are predominantly found in riverine areas along the Benin rivers and other upland areas in the state.

Over the years, some Ijaw leaders and groups in Edo have raised concerns about under-representation in the state government, poor road networks, and lack of federal presence in their communities.