Tension is rising ahead of the forthcoming Ijaw National Congress election as several Ijaw groups have strongly criticised the National Electoral Committee (N-ELECO) for reversing its earlier decision to disqualify some presidential aspirants.
The controversy centres on what critics describe as a sudden policy reversal by the electoral body after it had publicly released a final list of cleared candidates in line with the constitution of the congress.
In a communiqué issued after an emergency virtual meeting, the Ijaw Nation Development Group and the Ijaw Peoples Assembly expressed concern over what they called the inconsistent position of the electoral committee.
The groups said they were troubled by the decision of N-ELECO to rescind the earlier disqualification of certain aspirants, noting that the original decision was based on provisions of the existing constitution of the Ijaw National Congress.
According to the communiqué, the groups were particularly alarmed by reports suggesting that the reversal followed threats allegedly issued to pressure the electoral committee by some affected aspirants.
They warned that overturning constitutionally guided decisions under pressure could set a dangerous precedent capable of weakening transparency and accountability within the organisation and across the wider Ijaw nation.
The groups therefore condemned the development and urged all stakeholders to respect the established rules and institutions of the congress.
They stressed that individuals seeking leadership positions in the Ijaw nation must demonstrate integrity, discipline and commitment to due process, adding that intimidation or threats should never be allowed to influence decisions of any organ of the body.
The communiqué was signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Ijaw Nation Development Group and the Ijaw Peoples Assembly by Dennis Banigo, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Dr. Idah Felix Waboso, Secretary of the board.
For the Executive Management Committee, the communiqué was endorsed by the President, Chief Dr. Ephraim Etete Ewoh, and the Secretary, Karenate Odusu.
In a separate reaction, the Coalition of Ijaw Interest Groups also condemned the decision by the electoral committee to reinstate previously disqualified aspirants ahead of the March 7 election.
The coalition said the reversal within a week of the earlier decision threatens the credibility of the electoral process and could undermine the legitimacy of the outcome of the election if it proceeds as scheduled.
The statement, signed by representatives including Ben Okolo, Chief Denzil Kentebe, Elaye Otrofanowei, Pattison Boleigha, Rosemary John-Oduone and Yimovie Dakue-Collins, described the development as an unconstitutional alteration of an earlier decision taken by the electoral committee chaired by F. F. Tabai.
Other signatories included Efiye Bribena, Iniruo Wills, Tare Ekpebu, Annkio Briggs and Ebitimi Egbumukumoh.
The coalition recalled that on February 27, after what it described as a thorough screening exercise, the electoral committee published a final list of aspirants cleared to contest the presidential election of the Ijaw National Congress.
The candidates initially cleared included Chief Nengi Jamieson James, Engr. Ebipamowei Wodu, Prof. Franklin Erepamo Osaisai and Rear Admiral Woyenidinikpete Yanga (Rtd).
However, other aspirants, including Chief Ogoriba, Timi Kaiser-Wilhelm and Igbadiwei MacDonald, were disqualified for failing to meet membership requirements contained in the congress constitution.
According to the coalition, the electoral committee had earlier stated that some of the affected aspirants either failed to register as members of the congress or joined long after the statutory deadline required for eligibility.
The coalition questioned why the same electoral committee later reversed its position on March 5 after meeting with some stakeholders and the affected aspirants.
N-ELECO reportedly justified the reversal by adopting what it described as the distinction between “strict compliance” and “substantial compliance” in determining eligibility criteria.
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But critics argued that the decision was equivalent to a judge reversing a ruling already delivered simply because of a change of mind.
The coalition warned that the development could fracture the unity of the Ijaw umbrella body and reverse gains made by the Ijaw nationality in recent years if the anomaly is not corrected before the election proceeds.
They therefore called on Ijaw stakeholders to urgently intervene and resolve the issue in order to preserve the credibility and unity of the organisation ahead of the leadership contest.
Keywords: INC election crisis
Synonyms: Ijaw National Congress election 2026, N-ELECO controversy, disqualified aspirants INC president, Ijaw groups protest electoral reversal, Justice F. F. Tabai NELECO, Ijaw leadership election dispute, Bayelsa Ijaw politics.
