Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa has called on the outgoing executive committee of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), led by Professor Benjamin Okaba, to halt the planned inauguration of a new leadership earlier scheduled for May 14, 2026.
The governor’s position was contained in a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, following controversies surrounding the recently conducted election into the leadership of the apex Ijaw socio-cultural body.
According to the statement, Governor Diri said his intervention became necessary because of unresolved legal disputes arising from what he described as the “purported election” of a new executive for the organisation.
Diri, who previously served as the pioneer Organising Secretary of the INC, explained that his overriding interest as a stakeholder in Ijaw affairs was to preserve unity within the ethnic nationality and ensure that all issues linked to the disputed election were properly resolved.
The governor also expressed displeasure that the outgoing leadership and the electoral committee allegedly used his name and official designation in publicity materials for the proposed inauguration without first seeking his approval.
He warned that such action could create unnecessary tension and send misleading signals to members of 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,” Diri stated.
He added that prominent Ijaw leaders were already making efforts to resolve the crisis generated by the disputed election, stressing that the matter remained before the court.
“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 executive under Professor Okaba to exercise restraint and allow the ongoing reconciliation and legal processes to run their full course before taking any further action.
“My advice to the outgoing Okaba-led Exco is to tread cautiously and allow the dispute resolution processes to go through,” he said.
Reaffirming his commitment to peace within the Ijaw nation, Diri stressed that unity and harmonious coexistence among Ijaw people remained his foremost responsibility as a leader.
“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,” the governor stated.
He also cautioned against actions capable of deepening division within the INC, noting that the organisation remains a vital platform for advancing the collective interests of the Ijaw people.
According to him, the INC has continued to serve as the strongest and most influential voice of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, warning that no individual or group should attempt to undermine its integrity or legitimacy.
