*New INC Leader Lauds Bayelsa Governor’s Peace Initiative
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Tuesday brought his reconciliation efforts in the Ijaw National Congress (INC) to a close with a Mega Unity Reception at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa, the state capital.
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The well-attended event brought together leaders of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, stakeholders and contestants in the disputed April 2026 INC election that produced the High Chief MacDonald Igbadiwe-led leadership.
The inauguration of the Igbadiwe-led executive in Warri, Delta State, outside the traditional Ijaw House in Yenagoa, generated controversy that threatened the unity of the foremost socio-cultural organisation of the Ijaw nation until Governor Diri intervened and constituted a reconciliation committee chaired by former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Dr. Matthew Seiyefa.
At the unity reception, Governor Diri implored stakeholders to bury the hatchet in the interest of the unity and cohesion of the Ijaw ethnic group.
He also urged the new INC leadership to unify the people and build an institution that would protect the identity of the ethnic nationality.
Senator Diri said the Ijaws must rise and speak with one voice that commands a seat at every table where Nigeria’s destiny is decided, stressing that they must act together in helping to shape decisions that affect their future.
He further challenged the INC to move beyond rivalries, narrow interests and old divisions, emphasising that the Ijaw nation’s collective glory must come before personal ambition.
According to the governor:
“This powerful gathering tells Nigeria, Africa and the world that the unity, solidarity and indivisibility of the Ijaw nation are non-negotiable.
“Most Ijaw people cherish and will defend this sacred unity. When we stand together with shared purpose and destiny, no force can weaken us. The Ijaw nation stands at a critical crossroads and must embrace the responsibility of unity.
“We must understand what is at stake. 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.”
Acknowledging the Igbadiwe-led INC, Diri, who is known as the Governor-General of the Ijaw Nation, maintained that this was not a time for division but a time for unity, urging every son and daughter under the INC to rise above narrow interests and unite for their dignity, destiny and greater glory.
In his remarks, the chairman of the event and former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Sir Gabriel Toby, lauded the Bayelsa governor for his timely intervention in resolving the leadership crisis within the organisation.
Sir Toby equally praised Dr. Seiyefa and other members of the reconciliation committee for their selfless efforts and sacrifices on such a critical assignment.
He charged the INC president to be a team player and work effectively to represent the collective interests of the Ijaw nation, while embracing issues that promote peace, unity and progress.
The Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, King Bubaraye Dakolo, who is Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers and also Chairman of the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE), encouraged Igbadiwe to see his position as a call to service and to unite all zones of the Congress.
“So, today, you are bestowed as the chief servant to ensure that no piece of Ijaw land, no piece of Ijaw property, no Ijaw man, no Ijaw woman is mistreated in any part of the entire globe. That is why you are president worldwide,” the monarch said.
In his remarks, the INC President, High Chief MacDonald Igbadiwe, a former lawmaker in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, expressed gratitude to Governor Diri for not allowing the INC to disintegrate under his watch.
He assured that the INC would work with the governor, other leaders, traditional rulers, youth bodies and relevant stakeholders towards actualising the mandate of the Ijaw nation.
Dignitaries at the ceremony included the Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe; serving and former lawmakers from the state; former Bayelsa deputy governors, Rt. Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi and Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd); former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro; and the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, who was represented by the Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Monday Bubou.
Also present were the National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Dr. Boladei Igali; Dr. Matthew Seiyefa; and Chairman of Tantita Security Services Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo.
Also in attendance were the Pere of Tuomo Kingdom and retired Justice of the Supreme Court, King Francis Tabai; the Amanyanabo of Bolo Kingdom in Rivers State, Sir Acheseinimie Frank; other traditional rulers; Mrs. Juliana Oguara, Vice Chairman of the INC in the United States of America; and Chief Meg Agidee, President of Izon Ladies Association, among other prominent personalities.
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