INC Poll: Igbadiwei Wins as Candidates Boycott, Okaba Defends Court Order
By Ezekiel Kagbala
MacDonald Igbadiwei on Monday emerged President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) amid controversy, boycott by key contenders, and opposition from traditional rulers.
The election, held at Ijaw House in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, recorded the participation of 548 delegates, with about 35 candidates initially in the race.
Despite calls for a boycott by the Council of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE), the exercise proceeded peacefully, with voting conducted electronically and results transmitted in real time.
However, cracks emerged as some frontline aspirants, including Timi Ogoriba, Nengi James, and Geoffrey Yanga, boycotted the poll, citing alleged irregularities and unresolved petitions.
In separate communications to CITRE and security agencies, the aggrieved candidates raised concerns over what they described as anomalies in the electoral process, including the emergence of ad-hoc delegates and the role of electoral committee members in dispute resolution.
Yanga particularly faulted what he termed the “wrongful and unconstitutional” selection of delegates and called for members of CITRE serving on the electoral committee to recuse themselves.
“Election or not, the Ijaw nation will not die… no one should aspire to lead a fractured Ijaw nation,” he stated, insisting that due process must be followed.
Earlier, CITRE, led by Bubaraye Dakolo Agada IV, had declared the election illegal and urged Ijaw people to boycott the process, citing constitutional provisions requiring the resolution of disputes before any election.
The monarch accused the outgoing INC leadership of disregarding due process and acting unilaterally.
But the outgoing INC President, Benjamin Okaba, defended the conduct of the election, insisting it was backed by a valid court order.
“I have a court order compelling me to conduct this election without interference,” Okaba said, dismissing calls for postponement.
He maintained that the process reflected the will of the people and ensured transparency through electronic voting and real-time result transmission.
“The people are here. Nobody is being coerced. The process is transparent,” he added.
Okaba also criticised traditional rulers opposing the exercise, urging them to participate through constitutional means if interested in leadership.
Despite the disputes and boycott by some candidates, the election was concluded, with Igbadiwei declared winner.
Observers say the outcome, though peaceful, highlights deep divisions within the INC, raising concerns over unity and legitimacy as the new leadership takes charge of the apex Ijaw socio-cultural body.
