Igbadiwei Takes Over INC, Pushes for Toru-Ebe, Oil Rivers States

High Chief Macdonald Ebi Igbadiwei has assumed office as the ninth president of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), pledging to pursue the creation of Toru-Ebe and Oil Rivers states, expand local government areas in Bayelsa State among other political and developmental aspirations of the Ijaw nation.

Igbadiwei took over from Prof. Benjamin Okaba during the inauguration of the new National Executive Council (NEC) of the apex Ijaw socio-cultural body in Warri, Delta State, on Thursday.

In his inaugural address titled, “Building A New Ijaw Nation Together,” the new INC president decried the continued marginalisation of Ijaw people despite the region’s vast contribution to Nigeria’s oil wealth.

“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 said.

He also pledged support for Ijaw communities in Akwa Ibom State and promised to lead with integrity, transparency and accountability while promoting unity and development across Ijaw communities.

Outgoing president, Prof. Okaba, said his administration shifted the Ijaw struggle “from militancy to the intellectualization of the struggle,” urging the new leadership to sustain the push for constitutional reforms, fiscal federalism and reconciliation within the organisation.