Edo-Delta Egbema Political Space: Leadership Disputes Hindering Development, Youths Urged to Learn from the Past,

Egbema Kingdom Political Space: Leadership Misunderstanding Contributes to Underdevelopment in Edo and Delta States

By Egbemavoice,

Niger Delta youth leader, Comrade Mingo Meshach Sayami Ogumaka, has exposed the root causes behind the underdevelopment of Egbema Kingdom, which straddles Edo and Delta states. He pointed to persistent leadership misunderstandings and the lingering effects of colonial-era divide-and-rule tactics.

Comrade Mingo described Egbema as the most populous and one of the oldest Ijaw kingdoms in southern Nigeria—yet it has suffered decades of underdevelopment, neglect, deprivation, marginalization, and oppression by both the Edo and Delta state governments. He traced this back to tribal sentiments and biases harbored by successive state administrations.

Egbema Kingdom’s plight began during the days of Bendel State, before its division into Edo and Delta states. The kingdom spans both states but is united under one traditional throne, with its headquarters at Ajakurama town, recognized and gazetted by the Delta State Government under its traditional council. Despite this unity, the king governs Egbema lands in both Edo and Delta states, and all nine clans pay allegiance to the Agadagba of Egbema Kingdom.

Mingo highlighted a protracted leadership crisis within the Egbema Kingdom that has lasted over 30 years. He accused both state governments of exploiting this internal discord to suppress the kingdom and deny it rightful entitlements. Between 1991 and 1999, Egbema was plagued by factionalism, with brothers turning against each other and communities divided—leaving no room for meaningful development. From 1999 to 2015, individuals competed for personal gain, prioritizing self-interest and group loyalty over unity, which eroded Egbema’s cultural pride and heritage.

He further stated that during this period, the then governors of Edo and Delta states were influenced by powerful traditional rulers—the Oba of Benin and the Olu of Warri—who, according to Mingo, opposed the political rise of Egbema Kingdom due to tribal interests rooted in Oduduwa lineage. This dynamic contributed significantly to the kingdom’s continued neglect and marginalization.

Mingo also pointed out that colonial divide-and-rule tactics still affect the kingdom today. Political actors have used some Egbema leaders to fuel internal strife, turning brothers against each other, leading to armed conflicts, kidnappings, betrayals, and a fractured traditional institution. As a result, communities across Ovia South-West and Ikpoba-Okha LGAs in Edo State, as well as Warri North LGA in Delta State, have suffered decades of stagnation.

The Niger Delta youth leader called on all Egbema sons and daughters to learn from the past and chart a new course for future generations. He warned that continued internal crises will only deepen underdevelopment and division, expressing shame that Egbema Kingdom lacks a local government headquarters in either Edo or Delta states.

Mingo decried the alarming absence of basic infrastructure such as a functional general hospital, higher institutions, divisional police headquarters, youth skills acquisition centers, and other modern amenities.

He urged his people especially the youth leadership shoulld Learn from the Past and  abandon selfish interests, unite, and collectively demand their rightful place in governance—fighting for elective positions, commissioner slots, and key appointments that can bring sustainable development to Egbema Kingdom.

READS FULL PRESS STATEMENT

Leadership Misunderstanding and Neglect Fuel Underdevelopment in Egbema Kingdom — Comrade Mingo Meshach Sayami Ogumaka

For Immediate Release

Date: June 27, 2025

Warri, Nigeria — The Niger Delta youth leader, Comrade Mingo Meshach Sayami Ogumaka, has drawn national attention to the alarming underdevelopment and political marginalization of the Egbema Kingdom, an ancient Ijaw kingdom spanning Edo and Delta States. He attributed the kingdom’s current state of neglect to decades of leadership misunderstanding, tribal politics, and the lingering effects of colonial divide-and-rule tactics.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement forum, Comrade Mingo described Egbema as the most populous and one of the oldest Ijaw kingdoms in Southern Nigeria. Despite its size, rich cultural heritage, and immense contribution to the region’s oil wealth, the Egbema Kingdom has suffered systemic neglect, deprivation, and political sidelining by successive governments of both states.

He highlighted that Egbema Kingdom’s unique geography—covering parts of Edo and Delta states under a single traditional institution led by the Agadagba of Egbema Kingdom—should have been a strength but has instead become a tool for division. He noted that the traditional headquarters at Ajakurama Town, although gazetted by the Delta State Government, governs communities spread across Ovia South-West and Ikpoba-Okha LGAs (Edo) and Warri North LGA (Delta).

> “Egbema Kingdom has faced an unresolved internal leadership crisis for over 30 years,” Mingo stated. “From 1991 to 1999, factions rose within our communities, brothers fought brothers, and there was no unity. This opened the door for both state governments to exploit our division and deprive us of our entitlements.”

He further lamented that from 1999 to 2015, individualism overshadowed collective progress, with many Egbema sons and daughters prioritizing personal and factional interests over unity, leading to a total breakdown of coordinated community development efforts.

Mingo accused both the Edo and Delta state governments of leveraging tribal sentiments and influence from powerful traditional rulers—the Oba of Benin and the Olu of Warri—to suppress the political rise of the Egbema Kingdom. According to him, these rulers have historically seen Egbema as a threat because of its distinct Ijaw identity and have influenced state leadership to sideline the kingdom politically and economically.

> “They used divide-and-rule to pitch our leaders against one another,” he added. “Some Egbema leaders were sponsored to betray their own brothers, resulting in armed struggles, kidnappings, and a fractured traditional institution. Our communities in both states have suffered decades of poverty and neglect.”

Mingo decried the absence of basic amenities, describing it as a national shame that Egbema Kingdom, despite being a major oil-producing area, still lacks:

1. A local government headquarters in either Edo or Delta State

2. A functional general hospital

3. Higher educational institutions

4. Divisional police headquarters

5. Youth skills acquisition centers

6. Modern civic infrastructure and social amenities

He called on all Egbema sons and daughters, both home and abroad, to learn from the mistakes of the past and unite to reclaim the kingdom’s dignity and rightful place in governance.

 “This cold crisis will only deepen our underdevelopment,” he warned. “We must stop fighting ourselves and instead fight for our constitutional rights, including elective positions, commissioner slots, and key appointments. It is time we spoke with one voice and demanded what rightfully belongs to Egbema Kingdom.”

Comrade Mingo concluded by urging traditional leaders, youth groups, women organizations, and political stakeholders to set aside their differences and build a unified front to engage the Edo and Delta state governments constructively.

Contact for Media Inquiries:

Comrade Mingo Meshach Sayami Ogumaka

Niger Delta Youth Advocate | Egbema Unity Campaign

Email: egbemavoice@gmail.com

Phone: 07067121265

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