Major Breakthrough! Diri Receives Peace Report to End INC Leadership Crisis
By Passman Akpos
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has assured that his administration will carefully study the recommendations of the Reconciliation Committee of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and engage in broad consultations before taking steps toward implementation.
Governor Diri expressed confidence that the committee’s recommendations would strengthen unity, promote peace and stability, and reposition the Ijaw nation for greater relevance in Nigeria’s political and socio-economic landscape.
The governor gave the assurance on Friday while receiving the report of the eight-member reconciliation committee at the Government House in Yenagoa.
The committee was inaugurated by Governor Diri on May 26, 2026, following the crisis that trailed the disputed INC presidential election. It was mandated to reconcile aggrieved parties and recommend solutions capable of restoring harmony within the foremost socio-cultural organisation of the Ijaw people.
Commending the committee for completing its assignment within the one-month deadline, Governor Diri praised its members for their dedication, professionalism and integrity
He described the report as a roadmap for rebuilding trust among Ijaw leaders and restoring confidence in the INC, stressing that the organisation remains the highest institutional expression of the identity, unity and aspirations of the Ijaw people.
“The INC and the Ijaw people rise or fall together. We cannot stand aloof while such a vital institution drifts without direction,” the governor said.
“You were given a sacred mandate to find reasons to stay together. You have discharged it with diligence and courage. You have given us not just a report, but a pathway back to trust and collective purpose.”
Governor Diri recalled that when he inaugurated the committee, he emphasized that the destiny of the Ijaw nation was too important to be neglected, adding that the committee responded to that challenge by producing a report that addresses both existing divisions and future opportunities.
He further stated that, considering the calibre and credibility of the committee members, nothing less than excellence was expected, expressing satisfaction that they had lived up to expectations.
Presenting the report, Chairman of the Reconciliation Committee, Dr. Mathew Seiyefa, disclosed that the panel held extensive consultations with all contestants in the disputed INC election, members of the electoral committee, the INC executive, and stakeholders from various zones of the Ijaw nation.
Dr. Seiyefa, a former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), said the committee discovered a strong desire among stakeholders for a united, stronger and more effective INC capable of championing the interests of the Ijaw people.
According to him, the committee envisions a reinvigorated INC that is more consultative, inclusive and proactive in advocating for the rights and development of the Ijaw nation.
He noted that the overwhelming sentiment during the consultations was the urgent need not only to preserve the INC but also to renew and strengthen it to effectively confront contemporary challenges facing the Ijaw people.
“The common thread throughout our engagements was the overwhelming passion for the survival, renewal and reinvigoration of the INC. There is a widespread yearning for a Congress that will rise to the challenges of the moment and effectively champion the cause of the Ijaw nation. This aspiration guided our deliberations and informed the recommendations contained in this report,” Seiyefa said.
The submission of the report is expected to mark a significant step toward resolving the lingering leadership dispute within the INC and restoring unity among Ijaw stakeholders, as Governor Diri begins consultations on implementing the committee’s recommendations.
