INC Crisis: Ijaw Leaders Sack Feuding Factions

Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa

The parallel executive committees of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) were yesterday dissolved by leaders of the Ijaw people spreading across six states of the Niger Delta.

The leaders also set up an 11-member Constitution Drafting Committee chaired by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Francis Tabai, charging the committee to turn in a new constitution in one week, ahead of a national convention to constitute a new leadership.

Like the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), the INC had been plagued with claims and counterclaims over who should lead the once influential body which was founded to articulate Ijaw interests 26 years ago.
At the meeting which was attended by several traditional rulers and leaders I of the Ijaw nation, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, who expressed sadness over the division in the group, maintained that no self-seeking interest would be allowed to destroy the legacies of the founding fathers of the INC.
The governor explained that the meeting was convened to seek the way forward for the Ijaw nation and called for mutual respect and understanding for one another towards promoting the unity and the aspirations of the Ijaw people.

He warned against the politicisation of the body, emphasising that the future of the Ijaw nation could be better protected if members worked with unity of purpose.
“Even when we disagree, we must do so in the overall interest of our people. Whether we agree or disagree, it should be in such a way that will advance our common good.
“The Ijaw nation is bigger than any one of us. We will, therefore, not allow anybody’s parochial ego to destroy an organization our forefathers put together over the years.

“We have a lot of challenges now. Our people are pursued left, right and centre everywhere. It is only when we work together that we can protect our future,” Dickson said.
The Ijaw leaders had earlier received the final report of the 20-man Ijaw National Peace and Reconciliation Committee (INRC).
Along with the other leaders present, the governor said the elders would immediately commence the implementation of the recommendations of the committee.

Chairman of the committee, Diete Spiff said after due consultation with leaders of the Ijaw nation, as part of the sacrifices to stop the polarization and to further foster unity in the Ijaw Nation , the committee amongst other things recommended in the report, that the constitution of the INC should be reviewed.

A former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Sir. Gabriel Toby, served as deputy chairman of the committee, while Dr. Felix Tuodolo was the secretary and Gen. John Yeri (rtd) and Senator Inatimi Rufus-Spiff served as members.
Some other members were: Gen. Cletus Emein (rtd), Dr. Amba Ambaowei, Prof. Kimse Okoko, Prof. Ayibaemi Spiff, Chief Francis Doukpola, Prof. Nimi Briggs, Prof. Joseph Ajenika, among others.