Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, on Tuesday formally brought his reconciliation efforts in the Ijaw National Congress (INC) to a close by hosting a Mega Unity Reception at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa, the state capital. The well-attended event brought together leaders of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, stakeholders and contestants in the disputed April... The post Gov Diri Sues For Ijaw Unity, Recognises Igbadiwe-Led INC appeared first on New Telegraph .
Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, on Tuesday formally brought his reconciliation efforts in the Ijaw National Congress (INC) to a close by hosting a Mega Unity Reception at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa, the state capital.
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 executive.
The inauguration of the Igbadiwe-led executive in Warri, Delta State, rather than at the traditional Ijaw House in Yenagoa, had generated controversy and heightened tensions within the foremost socio-cultural organisation of the Ijaw nation.
The crisis prompted Governor Diri’s intervention, leading to the constitution of a reconciliation committee chaired by former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Dr Matthew Seiyefa.
Speaking at the unity reception, Diri urged stakeholders to bury their differences in the interest of unity and cohesion within the Ijaw nation.
He also charged the new INC leadership to unite the people and build an institution capable of protecting the identity, interests and heritage of the Ijaw ethnic nationality.
The governor, popularly known as the Governor-General of the Ijaw Nation, said the Ijaws must rise and speak with one voice strong enough to secure a place at every table where decisions affecting Nigeria’s future are made.
He stressed the need for the Ijaw people to work together to influence decisions that affect their collective destiny.
Diri further challenged the INC to move beyond rivalries, narrow interests and old divisions, insisting that the collective glory of the Ijaw nation must take precedence over personal ambitions.
According to him, “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.”
While formally recognising the Igbadiwe-led INC leadership, Diri said the present moment was not one for division but for unity.
He called on every son and daughter of the Ijaw nation under the INC to rise above narrow interests and work together for the dignity, destiny and greater glory of the people.
Chairman of the event and former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Sir Gabriel Toby, commended Diri for his timely intervention in resolving the leadership crisis in the organisation.
Toby also praised Dr Seiyefa and other members of the reconciliation committee for their sacrifices and commitment to the assignment.
He urged the INC president to be a team player and effectively represent the collective interests of the Ijaw nation while promoting peace, unity and progress.
The Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, King Bubaraye Dakolo, who is also Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chairman of the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE), an advisory body of the INC, urged Igbadiwe to regard his position as a call to service and unite all zones of the Congress.
Dakolo said: “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.”
In his remarks, the INC President, High Chief MacDonald Igbadiwe, a former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, expressed appreciation to Governor Diri for ensuring that the organisation did not disintegrate under his watch.
Igbadiwe assured that the INC would work with the governor, other political leaders, traditional rulers, youth organisations and relevant stakeholders to advance the interests and aspirations of the Ijaw nation.
