INC Crisis Deepens As Ijaw Coalition Warns Against “Illegal” Swearing-In Ceremony

The Coalition of Ijaw Interest Groups (CIIG) has warned against what it described as an unconstitutional and illegal attempt to inaugurate a disputed leadership of the Ijaw National Congress following the controversial April 13, 2026 election.

In a press release issued on May 13, the coalition, alongside what it described as concerned stakeholders across the Ijaw Nation, said any swearing-in ceremony conducted in defiance of existing court orders, constitutional provisions, petitions by aggrieved candidates, and resolutions of constituted authorities would amount to “a direct assault on the integrity, unity, and legitimacy” of the apex Ijaw socio-cultural body.

The group stated that the crisis surrounding the INC election had evolved beyond a mere leadership dispute into “a profound constitutional, moral, and institutional emergency threatening the soul and future credibility of the organization.”

According to the coalition, the INC was established to defend the collective political, cultural, territorial, and socio-economic interests of the Ijaw people, and not to serve as a platform for sectional dominance, personal ambition, or political patronage.

The statement accused the outgoing INC leadership under Professor Benjamin Okaba of undermining the organization’s constitutional foundations through alleged disregard for court orders, institutional processes, stakeholder interventions, and dispute-resolution mechanisms.

CIIG particularly referenced the April 10, 2026 resolution of the National Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (N-CITRE), which it said suspended all electoral activities in line with provisions of the INC 2019 Constitution.

The coalition alleged that despite the resolution and interventions from prominent Ijaw leaders, including Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, the electoral process continued.

It also condemned alleged attempts to invoke the name of the Bayelsa governor in a bid to legitimize the planned inauguration ceremony, describing the move as “a desperate attempt” by the outgoing leadership to extend its tenure.

The coalition further expressed concern that many of those allegedly behind the move to “factionalize” the INC were from the western zone, which it identified as the same zone as Prof. Okaba.

“Legitimacy cannot be manufactured through disputed procedures, factional sponsorship, or ceremonial swearing-ins conducted in violation of constitutional order and judicial authority,” the statement said.

CIIG warned that any leadership emerging from the disputed process would lack the constitutional and moral legitimacy required to represent the Ijaw people.

The group called on N-CITRE to restore constitutional order within the INC and prevent what it described as the possible collapse of the organization.

It also urged traditional rulers, youth groups, women organizations, civil society groups, and other stakeholders across the Ijaw Nation to intervene in the interest of peace and unity.

The coalition further warned that failure to resolve the crisis could result in the emergence of an alternative body to represent the interests of the Ijaw people.

Signatories to the statement included Ben Okoro, Efiye Bribena, Chief Denzil Kentebe, Iniruo Wills, Elaye Otrofanowei, Pattison Boleigha, Annkio Briggs, Rosemary John-Oduone, Ebitimi Egbunukumoh, and Yimovie Sakue-Collins.