A presidential aspirant in the crisis ridden Ijaw National Congress (INC) election, T.K. Ogoriba has joined forces with the leadership of the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders, (CITRE) in voiding the recently held election of the National Executive Council of the INC.
Addressing a world press conference in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Ogoriba stated that failure to adhere to the directive of the CITRE will result in the INC existing without a functional national executive council.
He explained that he called the world press conference to address the recent developments in the Izon nation and to ensure every Izon citizen understands that the purported INC elections of April 13, 2026, was a charade.
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The aspirant explained that he decided to opt out of the election because of the unresolved petitions before CITRE, as well as its declaration that the election be postponed.
“It is worthy to note that the Ijaw National Congress (INC) as a human organization, is also prone to have controversies, disputes, and misunderstandings, just like any other unit of the human society that is made up of people with different family backgrounds.
“It is in recognition of this that the INC constitution established the body known as the Conference of Izon Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE).
“This body is the only permanent organ of the INC made up of first class traditional rulers and respected Izon elders of repute.
“It is vested with the highest and final authority over controversies, disputes, and misunderstandings on any issue affecting officers, members, and organs of the INC,” he said.
Ogoriba pointed out that following the reconciliatory meeting of March 13, 2026, that was convened at the Government House at the instance of Governor Douye Diri, it was resolved that CITRE which is vested with INC’s constitutional powers handle all disputes emanating within the INC, including election matters and other related controversies as enshrined in relevant articles of the INC constitution with a view to finding a lasting solution.
He said however, that the outgoing INC national executives and the electoral committee in flagrant disregard of the resolutions of the meeting and CITRE’s constitutional powers, unilaterally rescheduled elections without waiting for CITRE’s report on the pending disputes before them.
“Worthy of note is the fact that the outgoing NEC is a beneficiary of the sanctity of CITRE.
“As of the time the present NEC came onboard, there was no organ of congress to initiate and supervise the process except CITRE, which midwifed the processes that brought the present NEC into existence.
“Therefore, why is Okaba’s NEC disregarding the CITRE that brought them into existence?
“Again, CITRE is the highest decision making body of congress and if in their wisdom, they sent out clear-cut instructions, then we have no other choice than to obey because Section 22 (C & D), empowers it to do so,” he added.
Ogoriba insisted that since CITRE is already mediating in the impasse, it behooves on every Izon patriot to look onto it and wait on the 7-man committee to conclude their assignment for CITRE to act upon.
