Ijaw traditional rulers and key stakeholders put indefinite hold on INC electoral process

The National Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders, also known as N-CITRE-INC, has decided to put the Ijaw National Congress elections on hold indefinitely, following a thorough examination of the issues that led to the current impasse, including a review of all petitions received.

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In a unanimous decision, the group opted to suspend the Ijaw National Congress elections and instructed the electoral committee to halt all election-related activities, pending further instruction from N-CITRE-INC.

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N-CITRE-INC, which is empowered by the Ijaw National Congress constitution to resolve disputes, has established a seven-member Dispute Resolution Committee to investigate the petitions that have been filed, with the goal of finding a resolution to the ongoing disputes.

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The resolutions issued by N-CITRE-INC state that the elections for the National Executive Council of the Ijaw National Congress, which were rescheduled to take place on Monday, April 13, 2026, have been temporarily suspended until all outstanding disputes have been settled, as directed by N-CITRE-INC.

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N-CITRE-INC, as the appointing authority for the National Electoral Committee of the Ijaw National Congress, possesses the constitutional authority to resolve all disputes within the Congress and has therefore directed the electoral committee to cease all electoral functions until further instructed by N-CITRE-INC.

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The Dispute Resolution Committee, tasked with resolving the long-standing dispute and investigating all petitions, including those against the National Electoral Committee of the Ijaw National Congress, is headed by HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo Agada IV, the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom and Chairman of the Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council and N-CITRE-INC.

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The committee's membership also includes HRM King Dr. Brig-Gen Bright Ateke Fiboinumama, Chief Dr. Silas Eneyo, representing the Eastern Zone, Dr. Loveth Ige, representing the Central Zone, HRM Pere Luke Kalanama III, and HRM Dr. Ekiomi Oweigbe John, also known as Gbisa I, representing the Western Zone, as well as the Zonal Chairman of N-CITRE-INC.

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N-CITRE-INC reminded all stakeholders of the importance of honesty, a core principle of the Ijaw people, and appealed for cooperation in order to achieve peace and resolve the current impasse.