Fresh Court Orders Stall Planned INC Leadership Inauguration
The dispute centres around the emergence of MacDonald Igbadiwei as president of the congress, an outcome said to have received the backing of the outgoing president, Ben Okaba.
However, the election outcome has since triggered legal actions and counter-orders, effectively halting the planned swearing-in ceremony for the new executive.
Speaking during a press briefing in Yenagoa, the chairman of the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders, Bubaraye Dakolo, directed all parties involved in the dispute to maintain the status quo in line with an order reportedly issued by the Yenagoa High Court.
Dakolo advised members of the Igbadiwei-led executive to stay away from the planned inauguration pending the determination of cases before the court.
According to him, only the chairman of the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders possesses the authority to swear in an authentic president of the INC under the organisation’s procedures.
He stated that the Yenagoa High Court had already directed parties to maintain the status quo pending further hearing on the matter.
The traditional ruler further warned that any attempt to proceed with the inauguration despite the court order could create deeper divisions within the Ijaw nation.
Dakolo, however, disclosed that he had also received a separate injunction from a court in Warri reportedly restraining him from interfering with the swearing-in of Igbadiwei and other elected members of the National Executive Council.
The conflicting orders have since raised fresh legal questions over jurisdiction and the future of the disputed leadership process.
Court documents reportedly showed that Justice Anthony Olotu of the Delta State High Court granted an interim injunction restraining the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders from interfering with the inauguration process.
In another suit before the Yenagoa High Court, Rear Admiral Geoffrey Yanga, Alabo Nengi James and Engr. Ebipamowei Wodu were listed as claimants.
Those listed as defendants in the suit include Prof. Ben Okaba, HRM Justice F.F. Tibai and Dr. Olobo Choice Jamaica representing members of the 2026 National Electoral Committee.
Delivering ruling on the matter, Justice Amadise Michael Ekadi reportedly ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of all applications before the court.
The matter was subsequently adjourned for further hearing as the leadership crisis within the Ijaw National Congress continues to unfold.
