Diri Urges INC To Suspend New Exco Inauguration Over Leadership Dispute

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has advised the outgoing executive committee of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), led by Prof. Benjamin Okaba, and the electoral committee not to proceed with the planned inauguration of a new leadership scheduled for May 14, 2026.

The governor said the decision was informed by legal issues arising from the recent disputed election of a new executive for the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Ijaw nation.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, Governor Diri stressed that his overriding concern as a leader and stakeholder in the Ijaw nation was the unity of the ethnic nationality and the peaceful resolution of all matters generated by the election.

Diri, who served as the pioneer Organising Secretary of the INC, expressed displeasure that the leadership of the organisation allegedly used his name and official title in publicising the proposed inauguration without his knowledge or approval.

According to him, such action was capable of creating confusion and sending the wrong signal to the Ijaw people.

“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 working towards resolving the crisis arising from the purported election and pointed out 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.

Governor Diri urged the outgoing Okaba-led executive to exercise restraint and allow ongoing dispute resolution mechanisms to run their course in the interest of peace and unity.

“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.

The governor also cautioned against actions capable of promoting division within the INC, describing the organisation as the most critical and effective voice of the Ijaw people.

He maintained that no effort should be made to undermine the credibility, legitimacy and integrity of the congress.