Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has called for unity among the Ijaw people and formally recognised the High Chief MacDonald Igbadiwe-led executive of the Ijaw National Congress, INC, following months of leadership crisis within the socio-cultural organisation.
Key Highlights
- Diri urges Ijaw leaders to bury their differences and unite.
- Bayelsa governor formally recognises the Igbadiwe-led INC.
- Governor Diri says Ijaw people must speak with one voice on national issues.
- Igbadiwe pledges to work with traditional rulers, youth groups and other stakeholders.
- Reconciliation committee chaired by former DSS DG Mathew Seiyefa commended for resolving the crisis.
Diri made the call on Tuesday while hosting a Mega Unity Reception at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, bringing together Ijaw leaders, stakeholders and contestants in the disputed April 2026 INC election that produced the Igbadiwe-led leadership.
The controversy followed the inauguration of the Igbadiwe-led executive in Warri, Delta State, rather than at the traditional Ijaw House in Yenagoa. The development deepened divisions within the organisation and prompted Governor Diri to intervene by constituting a reconciliation committee chaired by former Director-General of the Department of State Services, Dr Mathew Seiyefa.
At the unity reception, Diri urged stakeholders to put the crisis behind them and work towards strengthening the unity and cohesion of the Ijaw ethnic nationality.
The governor charged the new INC leadership to unite the people and build an institution capable of protecting the identity, interests and heritage of the Ijaw nation.
Diri said the Ijaw people must speak with one voice and secure their place at every table where decisions affecting Nigeria’s future are made.
He said the INC must move beyond rivalries, narrow interests and longstanding divisions, stressing that the collective interest of the Ijaw nation should take precedence over personal ambitions.
“If we fail to act together, others will decide our future without us. We will live with their decisions instead of helping shape them. The time to organise is now. Our relevance, resources, dignity, and shared future depend on what we do today.”
The governor said the gathering demonstrated that the unity and solidarity of the Ijaw people remained important to the group’s future.
Diri, who is widely referred to as the Governor-General of the Ijaw Nation, formally acknowledged the Igbadiwe-led INC and urged every member of the organisation to work towards reconciliation and unity.
Toby Commends Diri
Chairman of the event and former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Sir Gabriel Toby, commended Governor Diri for intervening in the INC leadership crisis.
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Toby also praised Seiyefa and members of the reconciliation committee for their efforts in resolving the dispute.
He urged the INC president to work with other stakeholders and ensure that the organisation remains focused on issues that promote peace, unity and development among the Ijaw people.
Monarch Urges Igbadiwe To Unite INC
The Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom and Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Bubaraye Dakolo, urged Igbadiwe to regard his position as a call to service.
Dakolo, who also chairs the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders, an INC advisory body, charged the new INC president to unite all zones of the Congress.
He said the INC leadership had a responsibility to protect the interests and dignity of Ijaw people wherever they reside.
Igbadiwe Pledges Inclusive Leadership
The INC President, High Chief MacDonald Igbadiwe, a former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, expressed appreciation to Governor Diri for intervening in the crisis.
Igbadiwe said the INC would work with the governor, traditional rulers, political leaders, youth organisations and other stakeholders to advance the interests of the Ijaw nation.
He assured stakeholders that the organisation would pursue unity and work towards achieving the collective aspirations of the Ijaw people.
The event was attended by the Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe, serving and former lawmakers, former deputy governors of Bayelsa and Delta states, traditional rulers and other prominent Ijaw leaders.
Among those present were former Bayelsa deputy governors Rt. Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi and Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd), former Delta Deputy Governor Deacon Kingsley Otuaro, Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, represented by the House Leader, Rt. Hon. Monday Bubou, and National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Dr Boladei Igali.
Also present were Dr Mathew Seiyefa, Chairman of Tantita Security Services Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, retired Supreme Court Justice and Pere of Tuomo Kingdom, King Francis Tabai, and the Amanyanabo of Bolo Kingdom in Rivers State, Sir Acheseinimie Frank.
Other dignitaries included Mrs Juliana Oguara, Vice Chairman of INC in the United States, Chief Meg Agidee, President of Izon Ladies Association, and other traditional rulers and stakeholders.
