The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has praised the six presidential candidates and other institutions for their efforts to ensure a peaceful leadership transition in the Ijaw National Congress (INC).
Governor Diri, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Peter Akpe, gave the commendation during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Yenagoa. At the meeting, all the candidates contesting for the INC presidency agreed to withdraw the court cases related to the election.
The governor also appreciated the Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Ambassador Godknows Bolade Igali, the members of the INC National Electoral Committee, and other stakeholders who helped to reach the agreement.
According to him, the decision by the candidates to withdraw the court cases shows their love, unity, and commitment to the progress of the Ijaw nation.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the candidates, including High Chief MacDonald Igbadiwe, who earlier obtained a court injunction in Port Harcourt stopping the INC election scheduled for last weekend, confirmed the agreement. They also promised to support a peaceful process for the emergence of the next President of the apex Ijaw socio-cultural organization.
The current President of the INC, Professor Benjamin Okaba, expressed happiness over the outcome of the meeting. He said the resolution would allow the INC National Executive Council and other stakeholders to resolve all issues within the 30-day period given by the convention.
According to him, several efforts had already been made by the INC leadership to ensure a smooth transition.
“The meeting called by the Governor of Bayelsa State, who is also the Governor-General of the Ijaw nation, was very productive. All six presidential candidates attended and agreed to withdraw their court cases,” he said.
He added that the INC would use the 30-day window to ensure the election is successfully conducted, while the appropriate organs of the organization would begin work immediately to monitor the withdrawal of the cases.
Those present at the meeting included the INC presidential candidates, the Chairman of PANDEF, Ambassador Godknows Igali; the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Ijaw National Affairs, Chief Godspower Oporomor; the Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai; the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council and CITRE, His Royal Majesty King Bubaraye Dakolo; the Chairman of the INC Electoral Committee, retired Supreme Court Justice Francis Tabai; his Vice, the Pere of Tarakiri Clan, Dr. Seiyifa Koroye, and other stakeholders.
