The Ijaw National Congress (INC) on Thursday formally ushered in a new national leadership with renewed calls for resource control, state creation and political inclusion for Ijaw people across the Niger Delta.
High Chief (Barr.) Macdonald Ebi Igbadiwei was inaugurated as the ninth President of the apex Ijaw socio-cultural organisation, succeeding Prof. Benjamin Okaba at a colourful ceremony held in Warri, Delta State.
The inauguration of the new National Executive Council (NEC) attracted prominent traditional rulers, political leaders, captains of industry and key Niger Delta stakeholders, reflecting the strategic relevance of the INC in the region’s socio-political affairs.
Among dignitaries present were ex-Niger Delta freedom fighter and Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Chief Dennis Otuaro.
The inauguration was performed by the Pere of Akugbene Mein Kingdom and Vice Chairman of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, HM Kalanama VIII.
Also in attendance were the Ebenanaowei of Ogulagha Kingdom, HM Torububou I; the Pere Ama-Okosu of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom, HM Monbene III; the Pere of Kabowei Kingdom, HM Aduo III; and monarchs of Uvwie and Idjerhe kingdoms of the Urhobo ethnic nationality, His Majesties Abe I and Udurhie I.
In his inaugural address titled, “Building A New Ijaw Nation Together,” Igbadiwei lamented the continued political exclusion and economic marginalisation of Ijaw people despite the region’s enormous contribution to Nigeria’s economy.
“Our land is richly blessed with natural resources and is responsible for over 80 per cent of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings. Yet, our people are not in control of these resources,” he stated.
The new INC president outlined key priorities of his administration to include the creation of Toru-Ebe and Oil Rivers states, expansion of local government areas in Bayelsa State, protection of Ijaw interests in Akwa Ibom State and enforcement of the Supreme Court judgment on ward delineation in Warri Federal Constituency.
“We shall pursue to a logical conclusion the creation of Toru-Ebe and Oil Rivers states in order to create more political space and address the marginalisation of Ijaw people, especially in Edo and Ondo states,” he said.
Addressing concerns raised by Ijaw communities in Akwa Ibom State, particularly Ibeno, Igbadiwei assured affected communities that the INC would pursue lawful means to secure justice and recognition for them.
In a symbolic move aimed at strengthening the operations of the organisation, the new president fulfilled one of his campaign promises by donating three coastal buses to the Western, Central and Eastern zones of the INC, alongside four 18-seater buses to the Lagos, Abuja, Akure and Benin chapters.
“We cannot achieve this alone. Success will depend on your support as Ijaw people. We shall lead with integrity, transparency and accountability,” he added.
Earlier in his valedictory speech, outgoing President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, said his administration successfully shifted the Ijaw struggle from militancy to intellectual engagement and strategic advocacy.
“From the very beginning, we anchored our stewardship on an absolute and necessary paradigm shift — from militancy to the intellectualisation of the struggle. We proclaimed that the pen must now speak louder than the gun,” Okaba said.
He listed the production of a Pan-Ijaw territorial map, the internationalisation of the Ijaw cause and the INC’s admission into the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) among major achievements recorded during his tenure.
Okaba also charged the new leadership to sustain the push for constitutional reforms, fiscal federalism and the creation of additional Ijaw states, while calling for unity within the organisation.
The election that produced the new NEC was conducted by an electoral committee chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice, HRM Justice F.F. Tabai, represented by the committee’s vice chairman, HRM Dr. Seiyifa Koroye.
Other members of the newly inaugurated executive council include Dr. Felix Okubokeme Tuodolo as Vice President 1, Dame Rose Obuoforibo as Vice President 2, Chief Kennedy Odiowei as Vice President 3, Dr. Anyanate Kio as National Secretary, Mr. Ikosomi Ibarakumo as National Publicity Secretary and Comrade Mulade Sheriff as Treasurer.
