YENAGOA – Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has advised the outgoing executive committee of the Ijaw National Congress led by Prof. Benjamin Okaba and its Electoral Committee not to proceed with the planned inauguration of a new executive scheduled for May 14, 2026.
Governor Diri said the decision became necessary following legal disputes arising from the recent controversial election conducted by the apex Ijaw socio-cultural body.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, the governor explained that his position was informed by the need to preserve unity within the Ijaw nation and allow ongoing dispute resolution processes to run their course.
Diri, who is a pioneer Organising Secretary of the INC, said his major concern as a leader and stakeholder was to ensure peace, harmony and cohesion among Ijaw people.
He also expressed displeasure that the INC leadership allegedly used his name and official designation in publicising the proposed inauguration without informing him or obtaining his consent.
According to him, such an action was capable of creating confusion and sending wrong signals within the Ijaw nation.
“Let me be unequivocal that I am not in support of anyone trying to fractionalize the INC or cause disaffection in the Ijaw nation,” the governor stated.
“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 still a subject of litigation, so why the hurry?
“My advice to the outgoing Okaba-led executive is to tread cautiously and allow the dispute resolution processes to proceed.
“As a leader of the Ijaw nation, my uppermost concern and responsibility is to ensure that our people remain united and co-exist peacefully,” he added.
Governor Diri cautioned against actions capable of promoting division and disunity within the Ijaw nation through the leadership structure of the INC.
He maintained that the INC remains the foremost and most effective platform for the articulation of Ijaw interests, stressing that no effort should be made to undermine its integrity, legitimacy and cohesion.
