By: Bulou Kosin.
Secretary of Ijaw National Congress of the Americas (INC-A), Mr. Ebikeme Amafini, says Appeal Court verdict affirming Chief McDonald Igbadiwei as President, Ijaw National Congress (INC) Worldwide is a welcome development. Tasking Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri and Council of Ijaw Traditional Rulers/Elders with urgent reconciliation assignment, Amafini insisted the Ijaw nation was better served with earlier and still-relevant reconciliation of aggrieved contestants of the INC polls.
Speaking to newsmen, Amafini praised the widely accepted recent election of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), which produced Dr. Doubra Okotete as President. He described the IYC election as “a democratic model, with contestants promptly congratulating winners”. According to him, the IYC elections offer valuable lessons for INC, the apex socio-cultural body of the Ijaw people.
“I appeal to aggrieved contestants of the long-concluded INC polls to place interest of Ijaw nation above self and accept emergence of Chief MacDonald Igbadiwe as President of INC, going forward. Position deprived is not service denied. Our commitment to progress of the Ijaw nation should never be dependent on holding elective offices as true leadership reflects in selfless service, not in titles”, Amafini said.
Amafini tasked “Governor Diri, CITRE and stakeholders to ensure reconciliation and fill perceived gaps or lacuna via amendments to the INC Constitution. Truth is, loopholes are often gradually addressed towards democratic excellence in societies. Rather than linger in blame games, I appeal to Governor Diri and revered royal fathers to reconcile aggreaved contestants towards withdrawing pending suits and enshrine safeguards in our constitution to avoid future disputes”.
“INC should unite in pursuit of Ijaw development agenda. It is disheartening the once formidable voice of Ijaw people is grappling with leadership crisis. With unity, INC will better engage the Federal/State Governments and oil companies to secure bridges, road networks, tertiary institutions, improved healthcare, environmental remediation, and socio-economic development”, Amafini stressed.
