𝗜𝗴𝗯𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘄𝗲𝗶 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝗷𝗮𝘄 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗘𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝗡𝗖

By NigerDelta Voice,

𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮, 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮.

The leadership crisis that rocked the Ijaw National Congress (INC) appears to be entering a new chapter following a major reconciliation effort that has brought Ijaw leaders and stakeholders together behind the leadership of High Chief MacDonald Ebi Igbadiwei.

The development followed a Mega Unity Reception hosted by Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa on September 1, 2026, where prominent Ijaw stakeholders gathered to promote peace, reconciliation and unity within the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Ijaw people.

The reconciliation effort became necessary after the controversial INC election held in April 2026 generated disagreements among stakeholders. The subsequent inauguration of the new executive in Warri, Delta State, rather than at the traditional Ijaw House in Yenagoa, further deepened the divisions.

Governor Diri subsequently initiated a reconciliation process, with a committee chaired by former Director-General of the Department of State Services, Dr. Matthew Seiyefa, working towards resolving the differences among the various factions.

At the September 1 gathering, stakeholders and individuals associated with the disputed leadership process converged in Yenagoa, signalling a fresh push to move beyond the crisis.

Governor Diri urged the Ijaw people to bury their differences and unite behind the collective interests of the nation, stressing that the Ijaw must speak with one voice on issues affecting their political future, natural resources, territory and identity.

The governor also formally recognised the Igbadiwei-led INC leadership, strengthening the position of the new executive and providing a platform for the organisation to move forward after months of uncertainty.

For Igbadiwei, the reconciliation represents an opportunity to rebuild confidence in the organisation and bring together members who became divided during the election.

The INC president had earlier, during his inauguration in May, extended an invitation to contestants who lost the election, calling for reconciliation and describing unity as essential to building a stronger Ijaw nation.

His administration has identified political inclusion, environmental justice, economic development, youth empowerment and the protection of Ijaw identity among its priorities. It has also renewed the INC's advocacy for the proposed Toru-Ebe and Oil Rivers states, alongside demands for greater political representation for Ijaw communities.

The latest reconciliation has consequently raised expectations that the INC can now concentrate on its broader agenda rather than internal leadership disagreements.

Ijaw traditional rulers, elders and stakeholders have repeatedly warned that division within the organisation could weaken the collective bargaining power of the Ijaw people on national issues.

The message from the latest unity gathering was therefore clear: the Ijaw nation must put internal differences aside and work through a united INC.

With the leadership question apparently moving towards resolution, attention is now expected to shift to how the Igbadiwei administration will translate the renewed unity into concrete action on political representation, resource control, environmental protection, youth development and the economic interests of Ijaw communities across the Niger Delta.

As the saying goes, when the creeks speak with one voice, the world listens.