DIRI URGES CONTINUED PUSH FOR CREATION OF MORE IJAW STATES
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
The Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has called on the Ijaw ethnic nationality to continue its push for the creation of additional states beyond Bayelsa, emphasizing that the struggle for constitutional restructuring must persist.
Diri made the remarks on Friday during the 2026 national convention of the Ijaw National Congress at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa.
He stressed that the Ijaw nation should not abandon its long-standing demand for the creation of two more states, in addition to the one already established.
The governor noted that the ethnic group initially advocated for three states—Oil Rivers, Bayelsa, and Toru-Ibe—and affirmed that the quest for the remaining states is still ongoing.
“We have made progress. Today, we have one state, Bayelsa. The Ijaw National Congress (INC), under the leadership of Chief Joshua Fumudoh, initially called for three states—Oil Rivers, Bayelsa, and Toru-Ibe. This means there are still two additional states that the Ijaw nation and the INC must pursue. So, the struggle is far from over.
“This is a fight we must continue, and if we cannot achieve it in our time, we will pass it on to our children. Our land and waters have nourished this nation and powered its economic activities, yet for too long we have endured environmental damage and social disadvantages.
“Economic inequities, environmental degradation, and infrastructural neglect remain pressing challenges that require both local and national commitment to address. The obstacles are significant, but I have no doubt that our sons and daughters have the resilience and indomitable spirit to overcome them,” he said.
Governor Douye Diri said he had no preferred candidate among the five contestants vying for the presidency of the Ijaw National Congress, urging delegates to make choices that advance the collective interests of the ethnic group.
He also reiterated his support for genuine and fiscal federalism, describing Nigeria’s current system as a “unitary federalism.”
The governor argued that states, including Bayelsa, would achieve faster development if they had full control over their resources while remitting taxes to the federal government.
Governor Douye Diri urged contestants in Saturday’s election to place the interests of the Ijaw ethnic nationality above personal ambitions.
He commended outgoing INC President Benjamin Okaba and his executive council for their leadership, particularly their collaboration with the government in securing the Ijaw nation’s admission into the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation.
Diri encouraged the incoming leadership to continue efforts to revive Ijaw cultural values and language while advancing the aspirations of the founding fathers.
In his address, Okaba called for strategic global engagement in the Ijaw struggle, noting that the ethnic group remains a major contributor to Nigeria’s oil-based economy despite years of marginalisation.
Okaba called for a shift from protest-driven advocacy to stronger international engagement.
“This gathering marks a milestone for leadership renewal and a re-evaluation of the organisation’s direction,” he said.
He highlighted that, despite its significant economic contributions, the Ijaw nation continues to grapple with environmental degradation and infrastructural neglect.
Okaba also announced new initiatives, including a Territorial Mapping Project to digitally document Ijaw ancestral lands, aimed at supporting environmental monitoring and resource negotiations.
To strengthen unity, he noted that the congress has registered 15 affiliate groups to amplify the Ijaw voice on national and international platforms.
Dignitaries at the event included former Bayelsa Deputy Governor Peremobowei Ebebi, Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly Abraham Ingobere, and the state Head of Service Ebiye Sawyer, alongside other government officials and traditional rulers.
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