The Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has urged the Ijaw people and the Ijaw National Congress (INC) to continue their demand for the creation of more Ijaw states in Nigeria.
Governor Diri spoke during the 2026 INC National Convention held at Ijaw House in Yenagoa.
He encouraged the Ijaw people not to give up their demand for two additional states, apart from Bayelsa State. He also said he has no preferred candidate among the five people contesting for the INC presidency.
According to him, states in Nigeria, including Bayelsa, would develop better if they controlled all their natural resources and only paid tax to the federal government.
He explained that the INC, under the leadership of Joshua Fumudoh, had originally asked for three states: Oil Rivers, Bayelsa and Toru-Ibe. Since Bayelsa has already been created, he said the Ijaw people should continue to push for the remaining two states.
Diri said the struggle must continue even if the present generation does not achieve it.
“Our land and waters have supported Nigeria’s economy for many years, but our people still face environmental damage, economic inequality and poor infrastructure,” he said. “These problems must be addressed through both local and national efforts.”.
The governor also advised those contesting positions in the INC election to put the interest of the Ijaw people first, instead of personal interests.
He praised the outgoing INC President, Benjamin Okaba, and his executive members for their leadership. He also commended them for working with the government to secure the admission of the Ijaw nation into the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization.
Diri urged the incoming leadership to continue promoting Ijaw culture and language and to work towards achieving the dreams of the founding fathers.
Speaking earlier, Prof. Okaba called for stronger global engagement in the Ijaw struggle. He said that although the Ijaw nation contributes greatly to Nigeria’s oil-based economy, the people still suffer from environmental damage and lack of infrastructure.
He suggested moving from protest-based advocacy to stronger international engagement. He described the convention as an important moment to renew leadership and review the direction of the organisation.
Okaba also announced new initiatives by the INC, including a Territorial Mapping Project. The project aims to digitally record Ijaw ancestral lands to help with environmental monitoring and negotiations over resources.
To promote unity, the INC has also registered 15 affiliated groups that will work together to strengthen the voice of the Ijaw people both in Nigeria and internationally.
Dignitaries at the event included former Bayelsa Deputy Governor Peremobowei Ebebi, Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly Abraham Ingobere, Secretary to the State Government Nimibofa Ayawei, Head of Service Ebiye Sawyer, APC State Chairman Warman Ogoriba, and the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, Bubaraye Dakolo, along with other government officials and traditional rulers from Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states.
