From Seyi Tayese, Yenagoa
As the outgoing President of Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Benjamin Okaba insisting on constituting new leadership of apex body of the Ijaw social cultural group despite court order barring him, the Coalition of Ijaw Interest Groups (CIIG), alongside concerned stakeholders across the Ijaw Nation, has warned against the unconstitutional and illegal attempt to swear in an unconstitutional and illegitimate leadership of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), arising from the highly disputed April 13, 2026, electoral process.
CIIG in a statement issued and made available to our correspondent via email, state categorically that any inauguration or swearing-in ceremony conducted, in defiance
of existing court orders, constitutional provisions, petitions by other presidential candidates; and resolutions of constituted authorities will amount to a direct assault on the integrity, unity, and legitimacy of the apex socio-cultural organization of the Ijaw people.
According to the group, the ongoing crisis concerning the INC election has moved beyond an ordinary lapse in leadership but has now become “a profound constitutional, moral, and institutional emergency
threatening the soul and future credibility of the organization.”
The statement which was co-signed by Ben Okoro Efiye Bribena ,Chief Denzil Kentebe Iniruo Wills,bElaye Otrofanowei Tare Ekpebu and Pattison Boleigha Ms. Annkio Briggs said, INC was founded as the foremost umbrella body to defend the collective political, cultural, territorial, and socio-economic interests of the Ijaw people, and not as a platform for zonal domination, personal ambition, or political patronage.
“INC historically earned national and international respect through its principled advocacy for resource control, environmental justice, minority rights, federal restructuring, youth empowerment, and the defense of marginalized Niger Delta communities.
“Recent developments under the outgoing leadership
of Professor Benjamin Okaba have undermined the organization’s constitutional foundations and public credibility through persistent disregard for Court Orders, institutional processes, stakeholder interventions,and dispute-resolution mechanisms. Of particular concern, was the blatant refusal to comply with resolutions reached by the National Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (N-
CITRE), constitutionally recognized as the highest dispute-resolution organ within the INC structure.
“The April 10, 2026 N-CITRE resolution in line with Article 14, D, 2 (e), (f), (g) of the INC 2019
Constitution, suspending all electoral activities, was clear and officially known, yet the president and the electoral committee proceeded in defiance of that directive. The president and N-ELECO also ignored
interventions by the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri and other well-meaning Ijaw elders, civil society organizations, and interest groups, advising that the elections be suspended pending the resolution of outstanding disputes and constitutional concerns.
“The CIIG notes with utter dismay the attempts to legitimize an inauguration ceremony by invoking the names of respected public officials like the Governor of Bayelsa state without authorization. This act is suggestive of a desperate attempt by Prof Okaba and his co-conspirators to extend his tenure through the
back door, all to cover his many misdeeds. CIIG also notes with concern that most of the perpetrators of this ignoble attempt to factionalize the INC emanated from the western zone, which is the zone of Prof. Okaba.
“The consequences of such actions should be clear to all.We believe that legitimacy cannot be manufactured through disputed procedures, factional sponsorship,
or ceremonial swearings-in conducted in violation of constitutional order and judicial authority. Any leadership emerging from the disputed process would lack the moral, constitutional, and representative legitimacy required to speak on behalf of the Ijaw people.
“The CIIG hereby calls on N-CITRE to restore INC to constitutional order and prevent it from being
annihilated. The consequences of this current situation could lead to the formation of an alternative body to serve the interest of the Ijaw people. Furthermore, CIIG calls on:
All Ijaw sons and daughters worldwide to defend constitutional order and institutional legitimacy
within the INC.
‘Traditional rulers, elders, youth groups, women organizations, and civil society actors to urgently
intervene in the interest of peace and unity. The outgoing INC leadership to respect constituted authorities and desist from conducting any swearing in ceremony.
“Stakeholders across all Ijaw zones to reject sectional domination and preserve the unity and
collective future of the Ijaw people. We reaffirm that the destiny of the Ijaw Nation is bigger than any individual, faction, or organization.
The INC was created as a vehicle for the realization of the Ijaw aspiration for equity, justice, and
collective dignity within the Nigerian state. If that vehicle is hijacked for personal or sectional
interests, the Ijaw Nation cannot be held hostage or ransomed by any group or individuals. The Ijaw
Nation is bigger than the INC, and the Ijaw Nation will ultimately prevail”, the statement read.
