The National President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), High Chief (Hon.) Macdonald Ebi Igbadiwei Esq., has revealed that he never foresaw his emergence as President of the apex Ijaw sociocultural organization in Nigeria, citing his emergence as a "divine calling" to serve the Ijaw Nation.

High Chief Igbadiwei, who is the Prime Minister of Gbaraun Kingdom in Bayelsa State, was sworn-in and inaugurated as the ninth president, alongside others, to lead the National Executive Council of the INC at the Smu-Tuns Playground, Warri, Delta State, on Thursday, May 14, 2026.

The oath of office was delivered to ninth INC NEC by HRM Stanley P. Luke, Kalanama VIII, Pere of Akugbene-Mein Kingdom in Delta State, and 1st Vice Chairman of the Delta State Traditional Rulers' Council.

High Chief Igbadiwei, who recalled how he was in attendance when the Western Zone made history by producing the first INC President in the personality of Professor Dimien on November 23, 1991, said, "And that day I was just a young man in the hall, and I never knew today I was going to be INC president, to be inaugurated in the Western Zone. That means there is a reason and a purpose for it. That's what I believe," he said.

In his inauguration speech, he pledged to pursue unity, justice, political inclusion and economic development for the Ijaw Nation, stressing that the time has come to “build a new Ijaw Nation together.”

High Chief Igbadiwei noted that despite the Ijaw Nation remained richly blessed with natural resources, it however continue to suffer marginalization, environmental degradation and political exclusion, unemployment and poverty remained widespread, while the people’s language and cultural identity were gradually being eroded, a situation he said is "a call to action.”

As a way forward the INC President outlined a broad agenda focused on unity among Ijaw communities across the Niger Delta, improved welfare for the people, youth empowerment, political restructuring and the protection of Ijaw heritage and its environment.

He highlighted the renewed demand for the creation of Toru-Ibe and Oil Rivers states that would address long-standing political marginalisation affecting Ijaw communities in Ondo, Edo, Delta, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states in the region.

“Our land is richly blessed with natural resources and is responsible for over 80 percent of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings. Yet, our people are not in control of these resources,” he lamented, and then added, “We shall pursue to a logical conclusion the creation of Toru-Ibe and Oil Rivers states in order to create more political space and address the marginalization of Ijaw people.”

Other demands include the expansion of local government areas in Bayelsa State from eight to 24 to give more political and economic opportunities to the people, to press for the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment on the lingering controversy surrounding ward delineation in the Warri Federal Constituency, the marginalization of Ijaw communities in Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State, particularly communities hosting oil and gas operations, vowing that “the Congress would seek lawful means to ensure justice and recognition for affected communities.”

On moves for reconciliation and grassroots inclusion, High Chief Igbadiwei announced the donation of three Toyota Coaster buses to the Western, Central and Eastern Zones of the INC and an additional four Toyota 18-Seater buses to Lagos, Abuja, Akure and Benin branches of the Congress.

He called on aggrieved members and former contestants in the INC election to join hands with the new leadership in the interest of the Ijaw Nation, stating that, “This is the time for a new beginning — a time to heal old wounds, restore confidence among ourselves and speak with one united voice for the future of the Ijaw Nation."

High Chief Igbadiwei succeeds Prof. Benjamin Ogele Okaba who served for five years, a tenure the outgone president said was marked by renewed advocacy for the Niger Delta and the internationalisation of the Ijaw struggle.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by major stakeholders across the Ijaw Nation, including traditional rulers, chiefs and political leaders from various kingdoms, including High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, whose presence brought excitement at the gathering.

View photos of the inauguration here: 

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