Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri has called on the Ijaw people and the Ijaw National Congress (INC) to keep up their agitation for the creation of additional states, stressing that the demand for two more remains unresolved.
Speaking Friday at the 2026 INC national convention at Ijaw House in Yenagoa, Diri recalled the original push for three Ijaw states, Oil Rivers, Bayelsa, and Toru-Ibe while only Bayelsa has been achieved so far.
“We have tried. Today, we have one state (Bayelsa). The INC, under the leadership of Chief Joshua Fumudoh, asked for three, which are Oil Rivers, Bayelsa and Toru-Ibe states.
This means we have two additional states that must be pursued by the Ijaw nation and the INC. So, it is not yet Uhuru.
This is a struggle we must continue, and if we cannot achieve it in our time, we will hand it over to our children,” Diri declared.
The governor criticized Nigeria's current governance as “unitary federalism” rather than genuine federalism.
He advocated for states to control their resources fully while remitting taxes to the centre, arguing this would drive faster development in resource-rich areas like the Niger Delta.
Diri highlighted the Ijaw contributions to Nigeria's economy through oil and gas, yet persistent issues like environmental damage, economic disparities, poor infrastructure, and social marginalization linger.
He expressed optimism in the Ijaw people's ability to address these challenges.Praising outgoing INC president Benjamin Okaba for milestones including the group's admission to the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation (UNPO) Diri urged new leaders to revive Ijaw culture, promote the language, and advance collective goals.
On the ongoing INC presidency election with five candidates, Diri maintained neutrality and advised aspirants to focus on the greater good of the Ijaw nation over personal interests.
The convention provided a forum for leadership transition, strategic discussions, and renewed focus on Ijaw advocacy at national and international levels.
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