Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has brought his reconciliation effort in the Ijaw National Congress (INC) to a close by hosting 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 executive in Warri, Delta State, outside the traditional Ijaw House in Yenagoa, generated controversy that threatened the foremost Ijaw socio-cultural organisation until Governor Diri intervened and constituted a reconciliation committee, chaired by a former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Dr Matthew Seiyefa.
At the reception, Governor Diri implored stakeholders to bury the hatchet in the interest and cohesion of the ethnic group.
He also urged the new INC leadership to unify the people, and build an institution that will protect the identity of the ethnic nationality.
Diri said the Ijaws should speak with one voice that commands a seat at every table where Nigeria’s destiny is decided.
He further challenged the INC to eschew rivalry, narrow interests and old divisions, emphasising that the Ijaw nation’s collective glory should come before personal ambition.
‘This 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,’ the governor said.
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, and that every son and daughter under the INC must unite for their dignity, destiny and greater glory.
In his remarks, chairman of the event and one-time deputy governor of Rivers State, Sir Gabriel Toby, lauded Diri 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, work effectively to represent the collective interest of the Ijaw nation, and embrace issues that promote peace, unity and progress.
The Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, King Bubaraye Dakolo, who is the chairman of Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers and also chairman of the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers, and Elders (CITRE), equally encouraged Igbadiwe to see his position as a call to service and to unite all zones of the congress.
While speaking, Chief Igbadiwe expressed gratitude to Governor Diri for not allowing the INC to disintegrate under his watch.
He assured that the INC will work with the governor, other leaders, traditional rulers, youth bodies and relevant stakeholders towards actualising the mandate of the Ijaw nation.