Ijaw leaders call for strict adherence to constitution in INC electoral process
A coalition of prominent leaders from the Ijaw ethnic nationality has called on the leadership of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) to strictly follow the provisions of its constitution in resolving disputes surrounding the organisation’s ongoing electoral process.
The appeal was contained in a statement issued on Friday in Yenagoa and made available to journalists by the group, which comprises traditional rulers, academics, retired military officers and civil society activists.
The stakeholders stressed that respect for the INC constitution was critical to maintaining credibility, unity and transparency within the organisation, which serves as the umbrella body representing Ijaw interests across Nigeria.
The statement was jointly signed by notable Ijaw leaders including Bukazi Etete, Roland Ekperi, Amagbe Kentebe and Ann Kio Briggs, among others.
According to the signatories, strict adherence to the organisation’s constitutional provisions would help resolve emerging disagreements and preserve confidence in the electoral process.
They urged the election committee overseeing the process to ensure fairness, transparency and accountability while conducting the exercise.
The controversy surrounding the INC election began after the exercise initially scheduled for March 7 was halted following a court injunction granted on March 6.
Prior to the court intervention, the election committee led by F. F. Tabai had earlier disqualified some aspirants from participating in the election.
However, the committee later reversed its earlier decision, allowing the previously disqualified candidates back into the race.
The development triggered dissatisfaction among some members of the organisation, prompting aggrieved parties to seek legal redress.
The court order subsequently forced the suspension of the electoral process pending the resolution of the dispute.
In their statement, the Ijaw leaders urged traditional rulers, elder statesmen and opinion leaders within the Ijaw nation to play active roles in safeguarding the integrity of the organisation.
They described such leaders as custodians of wisdom and balance who must help guide the organisation through the current dispute.
The coalition called on them to act as “guardians of fairness, wisdom and institutional stability” in order to prevent internal divisions from undermining the organisation’s objectives.
The leaders also appealed to Ijaw people worldwide to remain calm and law-abiding while the issues surrounding the election are being resolved.
They emphasised the importance of supporting democratic and institutional processes within the organisation.
“Ijaw people across the world should remain peaceful, vigilant and committed to the provisions of the INC constitution,” the statement said.
They further noted that strong institutions thrive on transparency and respect for established rules, stressing that disagreements should be resolved through constitutional mechanisms rather than actions that could weaken the organisation.
The stakeholders cautioned that any attempt to undermine or disregard the provisions of the INC constitution could weaken the organisation’s legitimacy and its ability to effectively represent the interests of the Ijaw people.
According to them, the constitution remains the most important guiding document for the organisation and must be respected by all parties involved in the electoral process.
They reiterated that protecting the integrity of the INC would strengthen its role as a unified voice for the Ijaw nation and help sustain trust among members and stakeholders.
