INC Crisis Deepens As Court Stops Inauguration Of Igbadiwe-Led Exco

The leadership crisis rocking the apex Ijaw socio-cultural organisation, the Ijaw National Congress, has taken a fresh dimension as a High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, ordered that the inauguration of the newly elected National Executive Council members of the body be halted pending further proceedings.

The development came shortly after reports emerged on Tuesday of a separate ruling by a Delta State High Court, where Justice Anthony Olotu, on May 8, 2026, granted an interim injunction restraining the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE) of the INC from stopping the swearing-in of High Chief Macdonald Igbadiwe as President and other elected members of the National Executive Council.

Court documents sighted by Mangrovepen.ng showed that the suit before the Yenagoa High Court was instituted by Rear Admiral Geoffrey Yanga (Rtd), Alabo Nengi James and Engr. Ebipamowei Wodu.

The defendants in the matter are Prof. Ben Okaba, HRM Justice F.F. Tibai (Rtd), and Dr. Olobo Choice Jamaica, sued for themselves and as representatives of members of the 2026 National Electoral Committee of the INC.

Presiding over the matter, Hon. Justice Amadise Michael Ekadi, while hearing the motion on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the suit.

The court ruled:

 “Parties are directed to maintain the status quo as at today.”

Justice Ekadi further ordered that:

 “No party in this suit, inclusive of the party seeking to be joined, should take any step to undermine proceedings pending before the Court.”

The matter was subsequently adjourned to Thursday, May 14, 2026, for the hearing of all pending applications.

The latest legal development has further intensified the leadership dispute within the INC, with conflicting court pronouncements now shaping the unfolding crisis in the organisation.