“Kings vs Politicians: Ijaw Traditional Rulers Seize Control, Halt INC Leadership Race”
By Passman Akpos
The leadership crisis rocking the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has deepened, as Ijaw traditional rulers have announced the indefinite suspension of the body’s much-anticipated national elections.
The decision was taken by the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders following a crucial meeting held on April 9, 2026, at the Secretariat of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council in Yenagoa.
The elections, which were earlier rescheduled for Monday, April 13, 2026, were put on hold after deliberations over mounting petitions, legal battles, and internal disputes threatening the credibility of the process.
In a statement signed by King Bubaraye Dakolo, Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, the electoral body — National Electoral Committee of the INC — was ordered to immediately cease all election-related activities.
According to the statement, the suspension will remain in place until all grievances are addressed and the Conference gives further directives.
“The elections into the National Executive Council of the INC… have been temporarily suspended until all pending disputes have been settled,” the statement declared.
The traditional rulers also asserted their constitutional authority as the appointing body of the electoral committee, stressing their responsibility to maintain order and fairness within the Congress.
To resolve the crisis, a seven-member Dispute Resolution Committee has been inaugurated, with King Dakolo serving as chairman. Other notable members include Bright Ateke Fiboinumama, alongside respected leaders drawn from the Eastern, Central, and Western zones of the Ijaw nation.
The committee has been mandated to review all petitions — including those filed against the electoral committee itself — and recommend pathways to restore unity and credibility to the process.
Reaffirming core Ijaw values, the Conference called on stakeholders to embrace peace and cooperation.
“Leadership by service remains our guiding principle. All parties must work together to achieve justice, equity, and fairness,” the statement added.
The latest development follows a series of earlier disruptions, including court interventions that had already stalled previous election timelines. Observers say the intervention by traditional rulers signals a decisive attempt to prevent further fragmentation within the INC and ensure a more credible leadership emergence.
Stakeholders across the Ijaw nation have been urged to remain calm and support the reconciliation process as efforts continue to stabilise the organisation.
