BREAKING: INC Crisis Deepens — “Fraud of the Highest Order” as Absent Aspirant Nengi James Mysteriously Gets 4 Votes

By Passman Akpos

YENAGOA, BAYELSA — The crisis rocking the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has taken a dramatic turn as one of the presidential aspirants, Nengi James, has rejected the outcome of the controversial election that declared High Chief Macdonald Igbadiwei as President, describing the process as a “sacrilegious violation” of Ijaw traditional authority.

In a strongly worded reaction following the disputed poll reportedly held on April 13, James insisted that the exercise lacked legitimacy, alleging manipulation of results and total disregard for the directive of traditional rulers under the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE).

“It is not over till it is over,” James declared. “The consequences of disrespecting our revered monarchs’ instruction is a sacrilegious attempt. What happened was fraud of the highest order.”

“Votes Allocated to Me Without My Presence”James further alleged that he neither participated in nor recognized the election, yet shockingly had four votes recorded in his name in the official results released by the electoral committee.

“I was not present at the so-called election, yet they attached votes to my name to make it appear real. Those involved must be arrested,” he said.

He described the process as a deliberate attempt by certain actors to “gain power through the back door” and called on all “truthful Ijaw sons and daughters” to reject the outcome.

Monarchs’ Directive Ignored?

At the heart of the controversy is the earlier directive by CITRE, which had ordered a suspension of the election citing unresolved disputes and threats to unity.

James emphasized that traditional rulers are not delegates to INC elections, clarifying that their constitutional role is limited to participation in national conventions—not voting in leadership contests.

“You saw chiefs, not first-class monarchs. Monarchs are members of CITRE and not delegates to the election,” he stated, urging stakeholders to verify provisions of the INC constitution.

However, conflicting accounts have since emerged, with some observers claiming that certain monarchs were seen participating in the same election, further muddying the waters and raising questions about internal consistency within the traditional institution itself.

Stakeholders Warn of Dangerous DivisionEchoing concerns over the growing tension, Ijaw leader Chief Inko Brightstar warned that recent developments within the INC signal dangerous internal fragmentation.

“The Ijaw struggle has always thrived on unity. Any sign of factional tendencies must be addressed with urgency and sincerity,” he said, drawing parallels to past divisions within the Ijaw Youth Council.

Ethnic Tensions Erupt

Beyond procedural disputes, the controversy has also exposed deep-seated ethnic and regional grievances, particularly involving the Nembe bloc.

Heated exchanges among stakeholders saw accusations of marginalization, vote-selling, and betrayal, with some voices controversially questioning the place of Nembe within the broader Ijaw identity—sparking backlash and counter-accusations.

Observers warn that such rhetoric could further inflame divisions if not carefully managed.

Confusion Over Authority and ProcessAmid the chaos, a key constitutional question has emerged:

Who has the authority to resolve disputes between the INC Board of Trustees and traditional rulers?

While some stakeholders insist the election result should stand and urge the Ijaw nation to “move on,” others maintain that any process conducted in defiance of CITRE’s directive remains null and void.

Calls for Calm, Justice, and Clarity

Despite the outrage, several voices have called for restraint, urging all parties to adopt wisdom and dialogue in resolving the crisis.

Meanwhile, loyalists of Nengi James continue to rally behind him, insisting the struggle is far from over.

“What happened is a mere jamboree. We will not allow such impunity to stand,” one supporter declared.

What Lies Ahead

With accusations of fraud, constitutional breaches, and disrespect for traditional authority now dominating the discourse, the INC faces a critical moment that could redefine its unity and leadership structure.

Key possibilities include:

Legal challenges to the election outcome

Rejection of results by traditional rulers

Emergence of parallel leadership claims

Deepening factional divisions within the Ijaw nation

For now, uncertainty reigns.

One question remains unanswered across the Niger Delta:

Was this truly an election—or the beginning of a full-blown leadership crisis within the Ijaw National Congress?

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