Campaign for additional Ijaw states should persist, says Diri

Douye Diri, the Governor of Bayelsa State, has called upon the Ijaw ethnic nationality to persist in its demand for the creation of additional states beyond Bayelsa, emphasizing that the pursuit of constitutional restructuring must remain ongoing.

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Diri made this statement on Friday during the 2026 national convention of the Ijaw National Congress, which took place at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa.

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The Governor urged the Ijaw nation to continue pushing for the creation of two more states, in addition to the one already established, as this has been a long-standing demand of the ethnic group.

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According to Diri, the Ijaw people initially advocated for three states: Oil Rivers, Bayelsa, and Toru-Ibe, and this quest is still ongoing, with Bayelsa being the only state achieved so far.

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Diri stated, “We have tried, and today we have one state, Bayelsa, but the INC, under the leadership of Chief Joshua Fumudoh, asked for three states, which means we still need to pursue the creation of two additional states.

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This struggle, he emphasized, is one that must be continued, and if it cannot be achieved in the current generation, it will be passed on to the next, as the Ijaw land and waters have significantly contributed to the nation's economy.

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The Governor highlighted the pressing challenges faced by the Ijaw nation, including economic inequities, environmental degradation, and infrastructural neglect, which require both local and national efforts to address.

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Despite the formidable nature of these challenges, Diri expressed confidence in the ability of the Ijaw people to overcome them, citing their resilience and indomitable spirit.

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Regarding the upcoming election for the presidency of the Ijaw National Congress, Governor Diri declared that he does not have a preferred candidate among the five contestants, advising delegates to prioritize the collective interest of the ethnic group.

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Diri also reiterated his support for true and fiscal federalism, describing Nigeria's current structure as “unitary federalism”, and argued that states like Bayelsa would develop faster if they controlled 100 per cent of their resources and paid tax to the federal government.

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The Governor advised contestants in the election to prioritize the interests of the ethnic nationality over personal ambitions, and commended the outgoing INC President, Benjamin Okaba, and his executive council for their leadership.

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Okaba, in his address, called for a shift from protest-driven advocacy to stronger international engagement, emphasizing the need for strategic global engagement in the Ijaw struggle.

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He noted that despite being a major contributor to Nigeria's oil-based economy, the Ijaw nation continues to face environmental degradation and infrastructural neglect, and announced new initiatives, including a Territorial Mapping Project.

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The project aims to digitally document Ijaw ancestral lands to support environmental monitoring and resource negotiations, and the congress has registered 15 affiliate groups to amplify the Ijaw voice on national and international platforms.

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Dignitaries in attendance 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, among other government officials and traditional rulers.