The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has condoled the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, following the demise of his father, Pa Abraham Diri.
The delegation led by the president, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, was at the Sampou community home of the governor on Friday.
Prof. Okaba said Pa Diri’s death was a loss to the governor and the entire Ijaw nation being its Governor General.
In a statement in Yenagoa on Saturday, the governor’s chief press secretary, Daniel Alabrah, said the INC President noted that it was proper to solidarize and identify with one of their own in his moment of grief and to support him in the planning of the burial process.
He stated that Pa Diri died a great man, stressing that the Ijaws will miss his fatherly advice.
Okaba also expressed delight that the late octogenarian raised a son that is a pride of the Ijaws and promised that the INC will continue to support the governor to remain focused despite the demise of his father.
He said: “The governor of Bayelsa State is also the Governor General of the Ijaw nation. So the loss is for the governor and the entire Ijaw nation.
“We came to solidarize with him in this moment of grief and assure him that we remain solid with him. We will support him all through the burial process and do everything possible to ensure that the processes are smooth.”
Similarly, a delegation of the Delta State Ijaw Traditional Rulers Forum led by King Joseph Timiyan also commiserated with the governor.
King Timiyan, who is the paramount ruler of the Ogulagha Kingdom, stressed that Delta and Bayelsa states were one hence the need to register their presence at this time of mourning.
The monarchs promised to play their roles when the family announces the burial date.
Responding, Governor Diri thanked the INC and the monarchs for the visit and for showing love towards him and his family.
Other groups that paid condolence visits were the Class of 81 of the Government College, Odi, the state chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), and the Friends of Senator Douye Diri from the Amassoma community.
