Tompolo, Traditional Rulers, Other Heavyweights Grace Igbadiwei-led INC Inauguration in Warri Amid Tight Security

The newly elected executives of apex Ijaw National Congress (INC) led by High Chief MacDonald Ebi Igbadiwei, was on Thursday inaugurated in Warri, Delta State amidst tight security.

The inauguration which took place at the Tunde Smooth playground in Warri South local government Area, was performed by the Vice Chairman of Delta State Ijaw Traditional Rulers Council, the Pere of Akugbene Mein, HM Kalanama VIII, on behalf of the Board of Trustees (BOT); the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE).

The new executive council were elected at the INC national convention, which took place at the Ijaw House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, in April 2026.

The ceremony came amidst contention litigations which bedeviled the earlier inauguration of the executive council.

The formal inauguration marked the end of the five-year tenure of the immediate past president of the INC, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, who delivered a valedictory speech at the ceremony.

The entrance of the event was adorned with pictures of prominent Ijaw leaders including former President Goodluck Jonathan, Opuda Alabo Dumo Lulu-Briggs, Chairman, Board of Trustee, Bayelsa state Governor Senator Douye Diri who was conspicuously absence at the event.

Prominent traditional rulers from Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa were conspicuously present at the event including HM Torububou I (Agbonu), Ebenanaowei of Ogulagha; host monarch, the Pere Ama-Okosu of Ogbe-Ijoh; HM Monbene III; other Ijaw monarchs as well as the Ivie of Uvwie and Idjerhe (Urhobo kingdoms), HM Abe I and HM Udurhie I.

The Chairman of Tantita Security Services, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro, House of Representatives member, Hon. Julius Pondi, Speaker Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, top traditional rulers, federal and state lawmakers, top government officials, officials of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and stakeholders of the INC witnessed the historic event.

Okaba said the apex Ijaw socio-cultural organisation made significant achievements, stressing that “the INC has established its presence in the global community”.

He urged the new leadership under Igbadiwei to sustain the unity of the Ijaw nation, promote Ijaw culture and advocate for the creation of additional local government areas in Bayelsa State, which has only eight local governments.

He lauded the INC electoral committee, chaired by retired Justice F. F. Tabai, for conducting a credible election, which aided a smooth transition process.
Okaba urged the new leadership to uphold the constitution of the INC in the conduct of affairs of the organisation.

Okaba also called on the stakeholders of the INC, clans and community leaders to support the new president and members of his council.

Okaba said his administration inherited a Congress that had been “in a comatose state for seven years without a leader and without a voice,” but noted that the organisation had since regained global recognition and institutional strength.

According to him, one of the major achievements of his administration was the internationalisation of the Ijaw struggle and the shift “from militancy to intellectual engagement.”

“We proclaimed that the pen must now speak louder than the gun,” Okaba stated.

He listed several achievements of his administration, including the production of the first Pan-Ijaw territorial map, advocacy for additional Ijaw states and local governments, the recognition of 23 new Ijaw clans, increased inclusion of women in leadership and the admission of the INC into the United Nations Unrepresented Peoples Organisation (UNPO).

Okaba urged the incoming leadership to prioritise reconciliation and strengthen the organisation’s international advocacy platform.

“To my brother and successor, High Chief Macdonald Igbadiwei, carry this responsibility with courage. You will be criticised and tested, but the Ijaw nation is watching,” he said.

In his acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated INC President, MacDonald Igbadiwei, described the event as “a historic moment” for the Ijaw nation.

He pledged to work for the unity and development of the Ijaw nation, stressing that the socio-political and economic interests of the Ijaw people would be protected and projected.

He decried the fact that Bayelsa State, which contributes immensely to the economic well-being of the country, has only eight LGAs, while some states that contribute less have over 40 LGAs.

He vowed to pursue equity and justice for the Ijaw nation, noting that the transition process showed the commitment of the INC to democratic values and internal cohesion.

Igbadiwei, Eqs., thanked the Electoral Committee (ELECO), led by HRM Justice F. F. Tabai, (Rtd), Esuku I, Ebenanaowei of Tuomo Kingdom for laying the foundation that birth the new executive.

He pledged to pursue unity, justice, political inclusion and economic development for the Ijaw people, declaring that the time had come to “build a new Ijaw nation together.”

Igbadiwei’s emergence after Prof. Benjamin Okaba five-year tenure, marked the renewed advocacy for the Niger Delta and the internationalisation of the Ijaw struggle.

The new INC president said the Ijaw nation remained richly blessed with natural resources but continued to suffer marginalisation, environmental degradation and political exclusion.

“Our land is richly blessed with natural resources and is responsible for over 80 percent of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings. Yet, our people are not in control of these resources,” Igbadiwei declared.

He lamented that despite the educational advancement of many Ijaw youths, unemployment and poverty remained widespread, while the people’s language and cultural identity were gradually eroding.

Among the major issues he highlighted was the renewed demand for the creation of Toru-Ebe and Oil Rivers states, which he said would address long-standing political marginalisation affecting Ijaw communities in Ondo State, Edo State, Delta State, Rivers State and Akwa Ibom State.

“We shall pursue to a logical conclusion the creation of Toru-Ebe and Oil Rivers states in order to create more political space and address the marginalisation of Ijaw people,” he stated.

Igbadiwei also demanded the expansion of local government areas in Bayelsa State from eight to 24, arguing that the current structure had limited political and economic opportunities for the people.

On the lingering controversy surrounding ward delineation in the Warri Federal Constituency, the INC president vowed that the organisation would continue to press for the enforcement of the Supreme Court judgment on the matter.

“We shall not remain silent in the pursuit of the enforcement of the judgment of the Supreme Court regarding ward delineation in the Warri Federal Constituency,” he said.

The INC president further expressed concern over what he described as the marginalisation of Ijaw communities in Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State, particularly communities hosting oil and gas operations.

“Our people in Ibeno, the host community to Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Conoil Producing Limited and Seplat Energy Plc, we hear your cries,” he said, promising that the Congress would seek lawful means to ensure justice and recognition for affected communities.

Speaking on the event, the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro, commended the Igbadiwei-led INC executives on their successful inauguration and expressed confidence in their ability to lead the nation.

“As a stakeholder in the Ijaw nation, I have confidence in the ability of the new leadership of the Ijaw National Congress under High Chief MacDonald Igbadiwei to give the Ijaw a new direction,” he said.
Dr Otuaro urged them to strengthen unity and love among Ijaw people.

The inauguration ceremony attracted prominent traditional rulers, political leaders, women groups, youth organisations and delegates from Ijaw communities within and outside Nigeria, reflecting renewed expectations for stronger advocacy on issues affecting oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta.

The new executive council of the INC includes High Chief (Hon) Macdonald Ebi Igbadiwei Esq. Dr. Felix Okubokeme Tuodolo as Vice President, HRM Dr. Anyanate Kio as National Secretary, Mr. Ikosomi Barry Ibarakumo as National Publicity Secretary, and Barr. Talent Brown as National Legal Adviser, among others.