Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has moved to halt the planned inauguration of a new leadership of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), warning that any rushed action could further plunge the apex Ijaw socio-cultural body into crisis.
Diri specifically advised the outgoing Prof. Benjamin Okaba-led executive council and the electoral committee not to proceed with the inauguration fixed for May 14, 2026, citing unresolved legal disputes surrounding the recent controversial election of new officers.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, the Bayelsa governor said the interest of every genuine Ijaw leader should be the unity and stability of the ethnic nationality rather than actions capable of causing division.
Diri, a former pioneer National Organising Secretary of the INC, said he was particularly disturbed that organisers allegedly used his name and official title to publicise the forthcoming inauguration without informing him or obtaining his consent.
According to him, such action was capable of sending wrong signals and escalating tension within the Ijaw nation.
“Let me be unequivocal that I am not in support of anyone trying to fractionalise the INC or cause disaffection in the Ijaw nation,” the governor stated.
He noted that prominent Ijaw leaders were already engaging stakeholders to resolve the dispute arising from the “purported election,” stressing that the matter remained in court and should not be subjected to further controversy.
“At the moment, Ijaw leaders are working towards resolving the crisis that arose from the purported election of a new INC leadership. The matter is even still a subject of litigation. So why the hurry?” he queried.
The governor advised the outgoing leadership to exercise restraint and allow ongoing reconciliation and legal processes to run their course in the interest of peace and unity.
Diri further warned against turning the INC into a platform for division, insisting that the organisation remains the strongest voice of the Ijaw people and must be protected from actions capable of undermining its credibility and integrity.
“As a leader of the Ijaw nation, my uppermost concern and responsibility is to ensure that our people are united and co-exist in harmony,” he added.
