26/05/2026
Diri Commissions Six-Man INC Reconciliation Committee
..Charges Committee to Foster Unity Within the Ijaw Nation
The Bayelsa State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, has inaugurated a six-man Reconciliation Committee for the Ijaw National Congress (INC), with a mandate to address lingering disputes and strengthen unity within the Ijaw nation.
The inauguration ceremony took place at Government House, Yenagoa, where Governor Diri charged the committee to reconcile aggrieved individuals and varying interests within the INC, while restoring the vision and ideals of the founding fathers of the organization.
The Governor urged members of the committee to carry out their assignment with fairness, openness, and sincerity, emphasizing the need for recommendations that would unite rather than divide the Ijaw people.
According to him, “The strength of the Ijaw Nation is not in the loudness of our disputes, but in our unity.”
The six-member committee comprises respected leaders drawn from the three senatorial zones of the Ijaw nation. From the Eastern Zone are Dr. Goddy Damnabo and former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Alabo Gabriel Tobi. Representing the Western Zone are former Minister of Police Affairs, Chief Brodrick Bozimo, and former INC President, Chief J.B. Fumudor. From the Central Zone are former Director-General of the DSS, Mr. Matthew Seiyefa, and former Nigerian Ambassador, Prof. Boladei Igali.
Also appointed to manage the committee’s secretariat are former Administrator of the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme, Chief Kingsley Kuku, and former Commissioner for Ijaw National Affairs, Chief Erasmus Patrick.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, its Chairman, Mr. Matthew Seiyefa, expressed appreciation to Governor Diri for the confidence reposed in them and assured that the committee would diligently carry out its responsibility in the interest of peace and unity within the Ijaw nation.
Dignitaries present at the event included the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Akpe; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimbofa Ayawei; Acting Chief of Staff, Mr. Irorodamie Komonibo; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiowou Koku-Obiyai; alongside other top government officials.