Outgoing INC president calls for calm as tensions rise over the congress’ ongoing national elections.
The outgoing Global President of the Ijaw National Congress, Benjamin Okaba, has appealed to Ijaw elders and stakeholders to sheath their swords and prioritise unity amid controversies surrounding the organisation’s ongoing national elections.
Okaba made the call following concerns raised by a coalition of Ijaw leaders, who earlier urged the INC leadership to respect the organisation’s constitution while resolving disputes linked to the electoral process.
The group—comprising traditional rulers, academics, retired military officers and activists—issued a statement signed by prominent figures including Bukazi Etete, Roland Ekperi, Amagbe Kentebi and Ann Kio Briggs.
Responding to the concerns, Okaba stressed that his top priority remains the unity and stability of the INC, adding that strengthening internal electoral processes and respecting the rule of law were critical to resolving the crisis.
“A rancour-free INC is not just an aspiration—it is essential for the survival and progress of the Ijaw nation,” he said.
He pledged to work with the congress’ electoral committee to ensure that the final electoral process is transparent, fair and widely accepted, while addressing concerns raised about delegate selection and the use of technology.
Okaba also emphasised that the INC must respect court decisions and the provisions of its constitution, warning that actions such as forgery or constitutional violations could weaken the organisation.
He welcomed the mediation efforts of Douye Diri, describing the intervention as a positive step toward dialogue among stakeholders, aggrieved aspirants and the electoral committee.
According to him, the crisis intensified after the electoral committee initially disqualified some aspirants based on constitutional requirements but later reversed the decision—while a court injunction subsequently halted the planned March 7 election.
Okaba urged all parties to pursue dialogue over confrontation, noting that a divided INC would struggle to effectively champion key issues affecting the Ijaw people, including resource control, development and self-determination.
“The ultimate prize is not any single office, but a united and strong INC capable of defending the collective interests of the Ijaw nation,” he said.
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