From Seyi Tayese, Yenagoa
As the President of Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Benjamin Okaba, bent on conducting an election on Monday 13th April 2026, every well-meaning Ijaw persons have been urged to “boycott the illegal and kangaroo elections.”
Urging Ijaw nation’s to boycott the elections is the Chairman of Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, who is also the Chairman of CITRE HRM, King Bubaraye Dakolo Agada IV, Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, saying he has
also written to the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, to make sure there is no such illegality in bayelsa state.
“I do not know an INC elections planned for 13th April 2026.There supposed not be an elections, the elections is out of order .Changing 60 days window frame to 30 days that was done unconstitutionally will not solve the problems on ground. On the,9th of April 2026, CITRE meant and asked eleco to put the elections on hold until all constitutional matters are resolved
“The eleco with the court injunctions that stop the elections on the 7th of march 2026 has automatically brought problems and it came with several petitions against NEC, against Eleco. It will be completely wrong for you to see all this and still allow the elections to go on which will further cause more damages”.
King Dakolo while addressing journalists on Sunday in his office at the Bayelsa state Traditional Rulers Council Secretariat in Yenagoa the state capital said,”In CITRE wisdom, having deliberated exhaustively resolved that eleco suspend all actions as regards the elections until the seven man committee exhaust all necessary means.
“The question people should be asking them is why they didn’t started early last year, why wait until December. January to October last year they didn’t start or do anything, they waited till December. They started so late. Do not blame CITRE, they are just playing their constitutional roles as stipulated by the INC constitution.
“There is also a section of the constitution that stated how BOT should be appointed. But BOT was hurriedly inaugurated outside the constitution specifications by the INC president Prof. Benjamin Okaba.
“The INC constitution does not allow vacuum, once the president tenure expires, CITRE steps in. Article 14 (b 2) and 14 (C2) says CITRE shall also performs the functions of NEC or the Representatives of the national executive council as a result of dissolution or expiration of any tenure.
“Prof. Benjamin Okaba supposed to have conducted four national conventions, but has conducted non. And no audited account from him for that four years, the NEC president has violated INC constitution serially. He has been the one managing the eleco, superintend over their affairs, arranging vendors for them. So, we are here, we the father’s, the conscience of Ijaw nation.
“Am the chairman of Bayelsa state Traditional Rulers Council. I symbolises Ijaw nationalism, Ijaw culture”, king Dakolo said.
