A group of notable Ijaw figures, comprising traditional leaders, scholars, retired security officers and civil society advocates, has urged the leadership of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) to respect the provisions of its constitution in the handling of its ongoing electoral process.
Members of the coalition, drawn from the Niger Delta, other parts of Nigeria and the diaspora, made the appeal in a joint statement issued on Friday.
The statement, endorsed by more than 30 stakeholders and led by Chief Bukazi Etete, Elder Roland Ekperi, High Chief Amagbe Denzil Kentebe and Dame Ann Kio Briggs, called on electoral officials within the organisation to ensure that every stage of the election strictly follows constitutional guidelines.
They also urged traditional rulers and respected elders to play a stabilising role by promoting fairness, wisdom and balance during the process, while encouraging Ijaw people at home and abroad to remain calm and support lawful procedures.
According to the group, sustainable institutions are built on respect for established rules, stressing that disputes should be resolved through credible structures and not through actions that could undermine the organisation.
“Our aim is not to fuel division but to ensure that due process is upheld and that the credibility of the institution remains intact,” the stakeholders stated.
They cautioned that disregarding the constitution of the INC could weaken its legitimacy and its ability to effectively represent the interests of the Ijaw ethnic nationality.
Other signatories to the statement include Prof. Mondy Sele Gold, Dr Timiebi Koripamo Agary, Rear Admiral Godwin Ayankpele (Rtd), Maj. Gen. Paul Alaowei Toun (Rtd) and Hon. Iniruo Wills.
The appeal followed recent developments surrounding the 2026 INC elections earlier scheduled for March 7. The electoral committee headed by Justice F. F. Tabai (Rtd) had initially disqualified some candidates for various positions before later reversing the decision.
The reversal reportedly triggered tensions within the organisation, which serves as a leading socio-cultural body advocating the rights of the Ijaw people in the oil-producing region.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on March 6 granted an injunction restraining the INC from conducting the election pending the hearing of a suit filed by aggrieved parties.