Ibaji Stakeholders Demand Reversal of Amended KOSOPADEC Law, Threaten Protest if Ignored
The Ibaji Emerging Stakeholders Forum, alongside other Ibaji community groups such as the Ibaji Unity Forum and the Ibaji Progressive Youth Foundation, has expressed serious concern and rejection of the recent amendment to the Kogi State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (KOSOPADEC) Law passed in July 2025.
They describe the amendment as repugnant and oppressive, contrary to the principal 2023 KOSOPADEC law, which they argue embodies equity, due process, inclusivity, social justice, and developmental principles consistent with the Petroleum Industry Act of 2021.
In a statement issued by Friday Aruwa, Secretary, Ibaji Emerging Stakeholders Forum, the stakeholders insist that the original 2023 law should be reinstated because the amended law threatens the interests and rights of the Ibaji people, the sole oil-producing community in Kogi State.
The Ibaji stakeholders have officially conveyed their resolutions to Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo through the Deputy Governor but are concerned about his delay in taking action on these resolutions.
They urge the governor to facilitate the repeal of the amended law and revert to the original 2023 law to protect their direct participation and equitable share in resource governance and development.
The community leaders accuse the amendment of disenfranchising them from oil revenue management and have called on the Kogi State House of Assembly to repeal the amendment and restore the initial law safeguarding their rights
Global Times Nigeria reports that Governor Ododo had earlier signed the amendment into law in July 2025, indicating an intent to create a more structured and transparent framework for oil-bearing communities.
However, the Ibaji communities perceive this action as a systematic sidelining, leading to the current crisis and their demands for justice and law reversal.
We reiterate our firm demand for the immediate reversal of the amended KOSOPADEC law back to the principal (original) law, which duly recognized the rightful interests of Ibaji as an oil-producing territory.
It is on record that Ibaji delivered the crucial 25% votes that enabled the All Progressives Congress (APC) to clinch victory in the last elections. It will therefore be unfair and unacceptable for the same government we stood firmly for to now attempt to deprive us of our God-given right.
It has come to our notice that certain self-serving political actors from Ibaji are deliberately misinforming the Governor to undermine the collective will of the Ibaji people. We hereby state unequivocally that if this injustice is not urgently corrected, we will mobilize to Abuja for a peaceful protest and subsequently seek legal redress in court.
Furthermore, let it be clearly understood that if the amended law is not reversed before the next elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) should not expect electoral support in Ibaji. We will conscientiously sensitise and mobilize our people against any political platform that marginalises and disenfranchises our community.
Ibaji will not accept injustice. Our rights must be restored.
