Ijaw National Congress Inaugurates New Leadership in Warri
Last Thursday, prominent leaders and youths of Ijaw extraction gathered in Warri, Delta State, for the inauguration of a new National Executive Committee (NEC) of the umbrella socio-cultural body of the Ijaw nation, the Ijaw National Congress (INC). The event brought together delegates from Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, and Edo states as Chief Macdonald Igbadiwei formally assumed office as President of the organisation.
Founded in 1991, the INC was established to promote unity and identity among Ijaw communities across the Niger Delta, while defending their political and economic interests. Over the years, the body has also championed environmental justice amid persistent concerns over oil pollution and degradation in host communities.
The inauguration attracted several dignitaries, including Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dennis Otuaro; Chairman/CEO of Tantita Security Services Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo); Chairman of the INC Board of Trustees, Chief Lulu Briggs; immediate past INC President, Professor Benjamin Ogele Okaba; Vice Chairman of the Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers, Pere Stanley Perediegha Luke (Kalanama VIII), among others.
A Legacy of Progress
Delivering his valedictory speech, outgoing President, Professor Okaba, highlighted one of the achievements of his administration: reclaiming the INC from individuals who allegedly appropriated the organisation for personal interests. He emphasized that the INC had undergone a significant transformation, moving from a state of “comatose” to international visibility.
According to him:
“We are here to appreciate the entire Ijaw Nation for the support you gave to us during this period. As a matter of fact, we met INC in comatose seven years before we came on board and we made remarkable progress.
Through our paradigm shift from lamentation to constructive engagement, the INC now has international visibility. INC has become an international brand.”
Professor Okaba also expressed his fulfillment in extricating the INC from those who believed the Ijaw Nation belonged to them. He stressed that the INC belongs to everyone, and no single person should dictate its direction.
Vision for the Future
Beyond the transition, the former INC president urged the new leadership to sustain campaigns for constitutional reforms affecting the Ijaw people, including additional states, local government areas in Bayelsa, and the pursuit of an autonomous Ijaw republic.
He encouraged the new leadership to leverage the registration of INC as a member of the United Nations Unrepresented People’s Council. He also emphasized the importance of upholding the Constitution of the INC as a guiding principle.
New Leadership’s Pledge
Shortly after taking the oath of office alongside members of the new NEC, Chief Igbadiwei pledged to confront longstanding concerns confronting Ijaw communities, including political exclusion, environmental degradation, and youth unemployment. He paid tribute to stakeholders who facilitated the transition, especially High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), whom he described as “The leader, the father, and the eye of the Ijaw nation.”
The new INC president said:
“Our administration will focus on addressing the critical challenges facing the Ijaw nation.
INC is for everybody. We are going to reach out to all our friends and brothers who contested with us but lost… together, we can build a better Ijaw nation.”
He further pledged to intensify campaigns for the creation of Toru-Ebe State and Oil River State, arguing that additional political structures were necessary to address perceived marginalisation of Ijaw people in some states.
Demands for More Local Government Areas
Chief Igbadiwei also renewed agitation for additional local government areas in Bayelsa State, arguing that the current structure limits political and developmental opportunities. He highlighted the disparity between Bayelsa and other states like Kano, which has 44 local governments compared to Bayelsa’s eight.
He called for at least 24 local government areas in Bayelsa, stating that this would create more opportunities for development and political participation.
Calls for Supreme Court Judgment Enforcement
The new INC leadership also urged the Federal Government to implement the Supreme Court judgment on the delineation of the Warri Federal Constituency. Chief Igbadiwei stated:
“We shall not remain silent in the pursuit of the enforcement of the judgment of the Supreme Court regarding delineation in the Warri Federal Constituncy.”
In his closing remarks, he extended an olive branch to contestants who lost in the election, urging them to prioritise collective interests over personal ambition.
“To our contestants, I invite all of you to join us as we work together to build the Ijaw nation of our dreams. The task ahead will not be easy but it will certainly be important. Let history remember this generation as the generation that united the Ijaw nation and moved it forward permanently.”
Key Members of the New NEC
Other members of the new NEC include Dr Felix Okubokeme Tuodolo as Vice President, HRM Dr Anyanate Kio as National Secretary, Mr Ikosomi Barry Ibarakumo as National Publicity Secretary, and Barrister Talent Brown as National Legal Adviser, among others.
For the new INC leadership, however, the transition in Warri appears to signify more than a routine change of guard. The speeches delivered pointed to a broader agenda: renewed agitation over resource control, restructuring, state creation, and increased political autonomy for the Ijaw nation.
