The people of Ibaji Local Government Area in Kogi State, has vehemently rejected the amended Kogi State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (KOSOPADEC) Law of July 2025, which they claim is “repugnant, oppressive, and unjust” and denies them their rightful representation and benefits.
In a statement signed by Ogah Mark Okpanachi, a stakeholder and member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ibaji, the community accused the Kogi State Government and the State House of Assembly of ignoring their concerns and perpetuating marginalization.
“We, the people of Ibaji, have followed all democratic and lawful channels to express our discontent with the amended law, but our voices have been ignored,” the statement read. “We have written letters, held consultations, addressed the press, and participated in stakeholder meetings, but our people continue to be taken for granted, while our loyalty is repaid with exclusion, oppression, and the removal of what rightfully belongs to us as host oil-producing communities.”
The community is demanding the repeal of the amended law and a return to the principal KOSOPADEC Law of December 2023, which they claim aligns with equity, inclusivity, due process, social justice, and the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
“Ibaji people have followed all democratic and lawful channels. We have written letters, held consultations, addressed the press, and participated in stakeholder meetings as directed. Yet, our people continue to be taken for granted, while our loyalty is repaid with exclusion, oppression, and the removal of what rightfully belongs to us as host oil-producing communities,” the statement emphasized.
The community has appealed to Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo to intervene and facilitate the reversal of the amended law, assuring him of their continued support.
“We will not fold our arms and watch our collective interest eroded through silence and inaction. We call on His Excellency, Governor Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo, and the Kogi State House of Assembly to urgently do the needful by repealing the amended KOSOPADEC Law of July 2025 and restoring the principal law of December 2023,” the statement concluded.