By: Odieh Ramon, Yenagoa.

Former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, who represented Southern Ijaw Constituency IV, High Chief MacDonald Igbadiwei, has emerged as President of the apex Ijaw sociocultural organisation, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) worldwide, with 317 votes.

The regent of Belema Community in the Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, His Royal Highness, Anyanate Kio, was also elected as National Secretary of the group.

Declaring the result of the 13th April 2026 INC national executive council elections, Chairman of the electoral Committee, HRM. Justice F.F. Tabai (rtd) said Igbadiwei polled 317 votes out of a total 685 votes to defeat other candidates who vied for the position, while Kio scored 284 votes to emerge as Scribe of the organization.

In his acceptance speech, the INC President-elect calls for peace and unity among the Ijaw people, promising to aggressively agitate for resource control and ensuring that more oil blocs are allocated to the Ijaw people by the federal government.

“I want to thank the National Electoral Committee of the INC, chaired by the Honourable Justice F.F. Tabai(rtd), for conducting a free, fair, and credible election.

“I will not disappoint the Ijaw nation for the confidence reposed in me. We’ll make sure more oil blocks are awarded to the Ijaw people by the Federal Government, and we will take the agitation for resource control to the front burner.

“We’ll work for peace and the unity of our people. The Ijaw nation has again made history. INEC should learn from the example set by the national electoral committee of the INC”, the President-elect said.

Meanwhile, speaking shortly after receiving his certificate of return, the INC Secretary-elect and regent of Belema community, Kio, dedicated his victory to the Ijaw people worldwide.
He stressed that his landslide win was made possible by the numerous Ijaws whose lives have been impacted by his contributions to societal peace and development.

Our correspondent learned that until his election, Kio was the Leader of the National Representatives Council(NRC) of the INC.

“In my tenure as scribe of the INC, I would continue to tow the path of peace and development in Ijaw land. I desire to forge stronger synergy with all members of NEC and other strata of the INC.

“I’m dedicating this victory to the great people of the Ijaw nation. Without them, this victory wouldn’t have come. This victory is in recognition of my great contributions to the peace and progress of the Ijaw nation.

“When you’re given a task to handle, and you do it well, it’s expected that this sort of reciprocation would come. I thank all delegates and Ijaws for the confidence reposed in me by turning in their votes to make me win this election”, he said.

Others elected are the pioneer President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Dr Felix Tuodolo, as Vice President one, Chief Kennedy Odiowei, Vice President three, Same Rosemary Obuoforibo, Vice President two, Barr. Marshall Abraham, National Assistant Secretary, Dr Sheriff Mulade, National Treasurer, Elder Gabriel Benamaisia, Auditor, amongst others.

However, two right activists, Chief T. K Ogoriba and Chief Nengi James, boycotted the election.

Other presidential aspirants scored thus: Prof Erepamo Osaisai 152, Engr Wodu 53, Comrade TK Ogoriba 11, and Nengi James 4 votes, respectively.