The people of Ibaji Local Government Area in Kogi have voiced grievances over the recently signed Kogi Oil Producing Area Development Commission (KOSOPADC) Law in July 2025.

Addressing a news briefing on Sunday in Abuja, Apeh Abuchi, president, Ibaji Youths, said that the amended law was a threat to the constitutional rights of the Ibaji people.

Mr Abuchi said this was in view of Ibaji Local Government Area being the sole oil-producing community in the state.

He said that the community was, therefore, appealing for fairness and justice in addressing the actions contained in the July 2025 amended KOSOPADC law by the Kogi House of Assembly.

The press briefing was jointly organised by Ibaji Youths Foundation, Ibaji Unity Forum, and the National Association of Ibaji Students.

Mr Abuchi stated that the struggle of the community for recognition and equitable participation in the benefits derived from their natural resources was not new.

According to him, the law was signed on Dec. 20, 2023, by the former Governor of the state, Yahaya Bello, establishing the KOSOPADC.

He said, “This law recognises the primacy of the host communities in the governance and management of the commission.

“Section six of the law stipulates that key leadership positions within the commission would be occupied by indigenes of the oil-producing communities of the state.

“Comparing with other states, laws governing similar commissions in Imo, Ondo, and Delta mandate that leadership positions be held by indigenes of the oil-producing areas.

“The Imo Oil Producing Areas Development Commission Law, the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission Law, and the Delta Oil Producing Areas Development Commission Law all ensure direct accountability and community-centric governance.

“However, the amended law signed on July 25, 2025, has fundamentally altered the landscape of the KOSOPADC Law.”

The Ibaji youths leader said that this amendment had diluted and rescinded provisions ensuring representation and leadership of the Ibaji people.

Mr Abuchi said that the process leading to the amendment was flawed and egregious due to the lack of public hearings or meaningful consultation with the community.

He added that the amended law stripped away rights guaranteed by the 2023 law.

“The chairman of the Board is zoned to Kogi West, the Secretary to Kogi Central, leaving Kogi East (where Ibaji is located) with no dedicated strategic leadership positions,” he revealed.

Mr Abuchi described the amendment as a legislative ploy to rob the Ibaji people of their birthright, silence their voices, and deny them the benefits that accrue from resources extracted from their ancestral lands.

He said the Ibaji people were therefore calling on the Kogi House of Assembly to reject the amended KOSOPADC Law and to retain the original law enacted in December 2023.

“We insist that strategic leadership positions within KOSOPADC must reflect Ibaji’s unique contributions and sacrifices as the sole oil-producing Local Government Area in the state.

“We appeal to the leadership of Gov. Usman Ododo, the conscience of leaders, the integrity of the Kogi House of Assembly, and the broader Nigerian populace to ensure that the right thing is done regarding the KOSOPADC Law,” Mr Abuchi said.

(NAN)