Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Tuesday, formally closed his reconciliation effort in the Ijaw National Congress (INC) with a mega unity reception at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa.
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 leadership.
The inauguration of the Igbadiwe-led executive in Warri, Delta State, outside the traditional Ijaw House in Yenagoa, had generated controversy that threatened the fabric of the foremost Ijaw socio-cultural organisation until Governor Diri intervened and constituted a reconciliation committee chaired by former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Dr Mathew Seiyefa.
At the reception, Diri urged stakeholders to bury the hatchet in the interest of unity and cohesion of the ethnic group.
He also charged the new INC leadership to unify the people and build an institution that would protect the identity of the Ijaw nation.
According to him, the Ijaw must rise and speak with one voice that commands a seat at every table where Nigeria’s destiny is decided, and must act together in shaping decisions that affect their future.
He further challenged the INC to move beyond rivalries, narrow interests and old divisions, stressing that the collective glory of the Ijaw nation must come before personal ambition.
“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,” he said.
Diri, who is regarded as the Governor-General of the Ijaw nation, said it was not a time for division but for unity, adding that every son and daughter under the INC must rise above narrow interests and unite for their dignity, destiny and greater glory.
In his remarks, chairman of the occasion and former deputy governor of Rivers State, Sir Gabriel Toby, lauded the Bayelsa governor 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 selfless efforts.
He charged the INC president to be a team player and work to represent the collective interest of the Ijaw nation and 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 chairman of the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE), an advisory body of the INC, urged 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, INC President, High Chief MacDonald Igbadiwe, a former lawmaker in the Bayelsa House of Assembly, thanked 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 to actualise the mandate of the Ijaw nation.
Dignitaries at the event included Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr Peter Akpe; serving and former lawmakers from the state; former deputy governors of Bayelsa, Rt Hon Peremobowei Ebebi and Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd); former deputy governor of Delta State, Dr Kingsley Otuaro; and Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Rt Hon Abraham Ingobere, represented by the Leader of the House, Rt Hon Monday Bubou.
Others were National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Dr Boladei Igali; Dr Mathew Seiyefa; and Chairman of Tantita Security Services Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo.
Also present were the Pere of Tuomo Kingdom and retired Justice of the Supreme Court, King Francis Tabai; Amanyanabo of Bolo Kingdom in Rivers State, Sir Acheseinimie Frank and other traditional rulers; Mrs Juliana Oguara, Vice Chairman, INC, United States of America; and Chief Meg Agidee, President, Izon Ladies Association, among others.
