The Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has commended individuals and institutions—including the six presidential candidates and the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders—for their efforts toward achieving a peaceful and seamless leadership transition in the Ijaw National Congress.
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A press release issued by Doubara Atasi, Media Aide to the Deputy Governor, stated that Senator Diri gave the commendation during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the weekend at Government House, Yenagoa. At the meeting, all candidates contesting the INC presidency agreed to withdraw all pending litigations concerning the INC election.
Senator Diri, who was represented by his deputy, Peter Akpe, also expressed gratitude to the Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Godknows Bolade Igali, as well as the chairman and members of the INC National Electoral Committee and other stakeholders who contributed to the resolution reached at the meeting.
Drawing an analogy from the Scriptures, particularly First Kings Chapter 3, he likened the unanimous agreement by the candidates to withdraw all pending court cases to the decision of the true mother of the disputed baby, who pleaded with King Solomon not to divide the child.
According to the governor, the resolution reflects the enthusiasm, unity, and patriotic fervour among all the presidential candidates to move the Ijaw nation forward.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the meeting, the candidates—including High Chief MacDonald Igbadiwe, who had secured an injunction from a Port Harcourt High Court restraining the INC election scheduled for last weekend—confirmed the agreement and pledged their commitment to the peaceful emergence of the next president of the apex Ijaw socio-cultural organisation.
Also speaking, the President of the INC, Benjamin Okaba, expressed delight at the outcome of the meeting, noting that the resolution would enable the National Executive Council of the INC and other critical stakeholders to resolve all outstanding issues within the 30-day window provided by the convention.
He said:
“Today marks the culmination of several efforts by myself and members of the INC Executive Council to ensure a smooth transition process, and we are confident of reaching the desired outcome.
“The meeting, convened by His Excellency, the Governor of Bayelsa State in his capacity as the Governor-General of the Ijaw nation, was highly productive. All six presidential candidates were in attendance and have agreed to withdraw all court cases.
“I want to assure you that we will utilise the 30-day window granted by the convention to ensure that the election is successfully conducted. All appropriate organs of the INC will commence work immediately, while we monitor the process of the withdrawals.”
Those in attendance included all INC presidential candidates; the PANDEF chairman, Ambassador Igali; the Commissioner for Ijaw National Affairs, Chief Godspower Oporomor; the Commissioner for Information, Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai; the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council and CITRE, His Royal Majesty King Bubaraye Dakolo; the Chairman of the INC Electoral Committee, retired Supreme Court Justice Francis Tabai; his vice and the Pere of Tarakiri Clan, Dr Seiyifa Koroye; among others.
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