Ijaws Must Unite To Shape Effective Decisions – Diri

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has called for greater unity among the Ijaw people, while formally recognising the High Chief MacDonald Igbadiwe-led executive of the Ijaw National Congress (INC).

Hotnews reports that Governor Diri made the call on Tuesday at a mega unity reception held at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa, bringing together Ijaw leaders, traditional rulers, stakeholders and contestants in the disputed April 2026 INC election.

The election and subsequent inauguration of the Igbadiwe-led executive in Warri, Delta State, had generated controversy within the socio-cultural organisation.

Governor Diri intervened by constituting a reconciliation committee chaired by former Director-General of the Department of State Services, Dr. Matthew Seiyefa, to resolve the crisis.

At the reception, the Governor urged all stakeholders to put the dispute behind them and work towards strengthening the unity and cohesion of the Ijaw nation.

Governor Diri, who is widely regarded as the Governor-General of the Ijaw Nation, charged the new INC leadership to unite the people, protect the identity and interests of the Ijaw nation, and ensure that collective interests take precedence over personal ambitions.

He stressed that the Ijaws must speak with one voice and work together to influence decisions affecting their future, warning that failure to unite could leave others to determine their destiny.

Chairman of the event and former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Sir Gabriel Toby, commended Governor Diri for his timely intervention, as well as Dr. Seiyefa and members of the reconciliation committee for their efforts in resolving the leadership crisis.

The Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom and Chairman of the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders, King Bubaraye Dakolo, also urged Igbadiwe to regard his position as a call to service and unite all zones of the Congress.

Responding, INC President, High Chief MacDonald Igbadiwe, expressed appreciation to Governor Diri for his intervention, saying the governor had prevented the organisation from disintegrating under his watch.

Chief Igbadiwe pledged that the INC would work with Governor Diri, traditional rulers, political leaders, youth organisations and other stakeholders to advance the collective interests of the Ijaw nation.

The event was attended by Deputy Governor Dr. Peter Akpe, government officials, traditional rulers, serving and former lawmakers, and other prominent Ijaw leaders in Niger Delta and beyond.

~ Hot News Reporters
Wednesday, 2, September, 2026