The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, and prominent Ijaw leaders have commenced moves to revive the umbrella body of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, the Ijaw National Congress.
The Governor and the Ijaw leaders of thought also set up a committee to drive the process of reconciliation of the foremost social cultural body with a view to repositioning it for optimal performance in the interest of the Ijaw nation.
The committee headed by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court and King of Tuomo, Justice Francis Tabai, has Dr. Felix Tuodolo as Secretary and Prof Francis Sikoki, Uchente Ejente and King Bubaraye Dakolo as members.
The Justice Tabai committee which was given three weeks to submit its report has the mandate resolve disagreements and litigations involving the leadership of the INC.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor, Mr Daniel Alabrah, stated that meeting unanimously resolved to take the requisite measures to revive the comatose INC.
Gov Diri, an activist, was a former National Organizing Secretary of the INC in its formative years.
The meeting had in attendance Pioneer President of the INC, Chief Joshua Fumudoh, Barr Boma Obuoforibo, Chief Alatubo Charles Harry, Senator Inatimi Spiff, Senator Moses Cleopas, Senator James Manager, Rear Admiral Geoffrey Yanga, and former National Secretary, Engr Charles Ambaiowei,
Others are prominent traditional ruler, and pioneer Chairman of the state’s Traditional Rulers Council, King Joshua Igbugburu, former INC President, Prof. Christopher Dimie, Prof. Ben Okaba, Mrs. Marie Ebikake, Mrs. Primrose Kpokposei and former leader of the
Movement for the Survival of the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Chief Timi Ogoriba.
“We unanimously resolved to resuscitate the INC as soon as possible.
“We also agreed to convoke a meeting of traditional rulers on the way forward for the INC as well as set up a committee to settle all litigations encumbering the congress.
“The committee, which is headed by Justice Francis Tabai (rtd), has Chief Felix Tuodolo as Secretary while King Bubaraye Dakolo, Victor Burubo, Prof. Francis Sikoki and Sir Uchente Ejente are to serve as members.
“The committee has three weeks to submit its report.
“This meeting is in no way representative of all our leaders and elders across the three zones of the Ijaw nation. But we have carefully chosen a few for the meeting so that at the end of the day we would resolve the issues and move the Ijaw nation forward.
“The INC is the umbrella body of all the Ijaws; the only voice of the Ijaw people that was instituted and had come to stay over the years. Unfortunately, that recognised voice has now become a very loud silence.
“In the light of all the challenges facing our dear nation and all the upheavals in the country, we are hearing other voices from other ethnic groups but the INC has not been vocal in recent times. That is why I have invited you to deliberate on how to reposition the INC and seek ways of moving the Ijaw nation forward.” The Governor said
