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OKOMU CRISIS: INC WADES IN TO BROKER PEACE
IduwiniVoice
OKOMU CRISIS: INC WADES IN TO BROKER PEACE
By Tobouke JEMINE
The Ijaw National Congress (INC) under the leadership of Prof. Benjamin Okaba, has moved in to broker peace between the conflicting sides in the Okomou community and the Okomou Palm Oil Company.
The INC convened a placatory meeting among the stakeholders in the Ijaw Okomu community of Edo State at the palace annex of the Ebenanaowei of Ogulagha Kingdom in Warri, Delta State, on July 4th, 2024, to seek ways to restore lasting peace to the community.
After exhaustive deliberations, it was resolved as follows:
1. All factions should cease any further hostilities forthwith while the Ijaw traditional rulers further engage all critical stakeholders to resolve the crisis in the community.
2. All stakeholders in the community must commit to working together for peace to be immediately restored in the community.
3. All actions and counteractions by any group capable of escalating the present situation in the community must stop for the Ijaw Nation, through the INC, to properly approach all contending issues dispassionately.
4. The INC resolved to write and summon the Okomu Oil Palm Company to a serious engagement meeting to hear from them their role, action, or inaction in the ongoing process.
5. The Okomu Oil Palm Company is requested to account for their operations in the Okomu Ijaw domain with regard to their CSR.
6. Ijaws resolved not to be used as slaves or second-class citizens by any company or group in Edo State.
7. The INC totally condemns the divide-and-rule tactics adopted by the Okomu Oil Palm Company to continuously sow seeds of discord among our Ijaw people.
8. The INC demands that the Okomu Oil Palm Company account for what they have done for the Okomu community while paying the 12 billion naira annual tax to the Edo State government from their operations in the community.
9. The INC will mandate a delegation of traditional rulers to visit the king of Okomu to confer with him and pass these resolutions to him.
10. The meeting strongly condemned the failure/refusal of Omokachi Peretei and his group to honor the invitation and their disrespect of the INC by not attending the meeting aimed at resolving the Okomu crisis.
11. The INC strongly warns the concerned absent group to maintain peace and desist from escalating the present situation while the INC and the revered traditional rulers urgently move to get to the roots of the crisis in the interest of peace.
12. The meeting resolved that all groups involved in the crisis should not test the will and determination of the Ijaw Nation to bring the desired peace to the ancient Okomu Ijaw Kingdom and to all Ijaws in Edo State in general.
13. Stakeholders at the meeting are mandated to pass the resolutions of the meeting to their respective groups to abide by them at once.
14. All security agents are hereby enjoined to maintain law and order, respect the rights of the Okomu people, and desist from any form of harassment, intimidation, and/or indiscriminate arrest of innocent citizens of Okomu Kingdom while the Ijaw Nation deals with this situation.
15. The Edo State Police Command, DSS, and Army authorities are equally enjoined to stop the threat of declaring people and/or youths wanted while the INC seeks a lasting solution to this problem.
16. The INC hereby commends the security agencies, especially the Army at the 4 Brigade and its commander Brig. Gen. Oduyemi, for their stabilizing role towards maintaining peace in the community.
Other kings in the meeting included the Agadagba of Arogbo, the Agadagba of Gbaran Kingdom, and a representative of the state director of the DSS.
Signed,
Prof. Benjamin Okaba
President, INC
By Charity Ebi
Hon. has formally assumed office as the Coordinator of the City Boy Movement (CBM) in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, pledging dedication to service and community development.
Speaking following his inauguration, Negerese described his new role as a call to responsibility and commitment rather than a mere title. He assured residents that his leadership would focus on delivering impact and fostering hope across the local government.
He expressed gratitude to God for what he described as divine grace and acknowledged the support of key political leaders and stakeholders, including the Governor of Bayelsa State, , and his deputy, . He also appreciated the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, , for his encouragement and backing.
The newly inaugurated coordinator further thanked the leadership of the City Boy Movement, particularly the State Director-General, , as well as members of the organisation for entrusting him with the responsibility.
Negerese paid special tribute to the people of Ekeremor, including youths, women, and elders, for their support and participation in the process leading to his emergence.
He pledged to work collaboratively with stakeholders to promote development, empower residents, and strengthen unity within the area, expressing optimism about building a more vibrant and progressive Ekeremor under his coordination.
By Favour Bibaikefie
YENAGOA — Former Nigerian Ambassador to Sweden, Godknows Boladei Igali, has commended the visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Bayelsa State, describing it as a significant step in advancing development efforts in the Niger Delta.
In a statement released on Friday, Igali said the President’s presence in the state for the commissioning of major projects underscores the Federal Government’s renewed focus on infrastructural growth in the region. He characterized the visit as timely and impactful, noting that it reflects a broader commitment to addressing development needs in oil-producing communities.
The former envoy also praised the administration of Governor Douye Diri for delivering key projects designed to enhance living standards and stimulate economic activities across the state. According to him, the ongoing infrastructure initiatives represent meaningful progress in Bayelsa’s development trajectory.
The National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Fo observed that the newly completed projects are expected to improve connectivity, boost commercial activities, and open up employment opportunities, particularly for young people in the state.
Igali further urged residents to accord the President a warm reception, emphasizing the importance of unity and collective support for policies that drive national development.
President Tinubu’s visit includes the inauguration of several strategic projects executed by the state government, a move widely viewed by stakeholders as strengthening collaboration between the Federal Government and subnational authorities in fostering sustainable growth.
By Favour Bibaikefie
YENAGOA — The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has reaffirmed that its rescheduled national elections will hold on April 13, 2026, declaring its Electoral Committee (ELECO) fully prepared and cautioning against any directive capable of undermining the process.
The resolution followed an expanded National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on April 9 at Ijaw House in Yenagoa, convened to assess the level of preparedness for the forthcoming elections.
INC NEC Affirms ELECO Readiness
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the NEC unanimously endorsed the report presented by ELECO, expressing satisfaction with the level of preparedness and affirming that the elections would proceed as scheduled.
The council stated that members “endorsed the report of the ELECO… that the rescheduled INC National elections should hold on the 13th of April 2026 as planned.”
It further noted that concerns raised at a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Bayelsa State Government in March had been adequately addressed.
Affirmation of Electoral Independence
The NEC stressed the need to preserve the independence of the electoral body, directing that ELECO be allowed to carry out its responsibilities without interference.
According to the communiqué, ELECO is to “carry out its assignment without interference from other organs of Congress, except to receive logistics support from the NEC.”
The council also expressed confidence in the committee’s readiness, particularly in the preparation of both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials.
Clarifies CITRE’s Role
In a move seen as addressing internal governance concerns, the NEC clarified the constitutional role of the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE), describing it as an advisory organ in line with Article 14(D) of the INC 2019 Constitution.
It noted that CITRE’s functions in election matters are limited to clearing nominees and managing disputes arising from the electoral process, similar to the role of the Board of Trustees (BOT).
The NEC, however, reiterated its openness to constructive input from CITRE, BOT and other organs, provided such advice aligns with the overall interest of the Congress.
INC Discourages Misinformation
The council issued a strong advisory to the public and stakeholders to disregard any information or directive inconsistent with the official position of ELECO.
“The general public is therefore advised to discountenance any information or directive that runs contrary to the position of the ELECO…,” the communiqué stated.
NEC Attendance Across INC Structures
The meeting drew a wide representation of leadership across the INC structure, including NEC members, BOT officials, CITRE leaders, National Representative Committee (NRC) members, zonal executives and chapter representatives.
Among those in attendance were INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba; National Secretary, Engr. Ebiowei Wodu; Acting Chairman of CITRE (East), HRH (Gen. Rt.) B.A. Fipinimama; ELECO Chairman, HRM (Justice) Dr. F. F. Tabai; and ELECO Vice Chairman, HRM Seiyifa Koroye.
Others included ELECO Secretary, Dr. Otobo Choice Jamaica; former INC President, Prof. A.W. Obianime; National Legal Adviser, Bomo Tons Fetepigi Obhe; National Organising Secretary, Onengiyeofori Fenibo; and Leader of the NRC, HRH (Dr.) Anyanate Kio.
Also present were CITRE leader, HRH Okoko Stample Esau (PhD); BOT Vice Chairman, Chief M. Tiemo; BOT Secretary, Barr. Fidelis Agbiki; National Treasurer, High Chief Philip B. Agu; National Women Leader, Alali R. Danagogo; and Vice President, Rose Obuoforibo.
Chapter and zonal representatives included Barr. Agha Toru-Ibe (Benin City Secretary), Ephraim Gogo (Benin City Chairman), Tonye Harry (Lagos Chairman), A. Elayelagha (Lagos Secretary), Daniel Ebijor Tonibor (Abuja Chairman), Tete K. Friday (Abuja Assistant Secretary), Ajele Ayokeji Johnson (Akure Chairman), John Ebiofini (Akure Secretary), and Chief Bare Etolor (Chairman, Ijaw Elders Forum).
Others were HRH Akcheseinimie Micah Frank (BOT member), Princess Ebiseni Adesola Joyce (NRC Deputy Leader), Elder Gabriel Benamiensia (NRC Clerk), Karibo Lawrence (Eastern Zone Vice Chairman), God’swill Seke (Central Zone Secretary), Mrs. Peremo Isenali Opiali (National Welfare Secretary), and King Koma A. Eteko (CITRE Deputy Chairman).
The NEC’s resolution is widely interpreted as a strategic effort to consolidate authority within the INC and prevent internal divisions ahead of the elections.
By reaffirming ELECO’s independence and clarifying institutional roles, the leadership appears focused on ensuring a credible, transparent and conflict-free electoral process.
With the April 13 date now firmly set, attention will shift to the conduct of the elections and the ability of the Congress to sustain unity in the post-election period.