“‘Your Withdrawal Moved Me to Tears’ — Fresh Appeal Rocks INC Race, Ikuli Urged to Come Back”

By Passman Akpos

Fresh controversy has emerged in the leadership contest of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) after a passionate appeal was made to one of the withdrawn candidates, Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli, urging him to reconsider his decision to step out of the race for National Publicity Secretary in the forthcoming 2026 election.

In an emotional open response, Pharm Egbukuyomi Bamidele revealed that the content of Ikuli’s earlier withdrawal letter moved him to tears, even though he insisted that his call for reconsideration was firm and without retreat.

“I have moved and there is no turning back,” he declared, calling on Ijaw leaders and stakeholders to persuade Ikuli to rescind his withdrawal and return to the contest.

Bamidele described Ikuli as a long-standing voice in the struggle for justice, equity and self-determination for the Ijaw people, noting that his contributions as a journalist, defence and security analyst, author and advocate for the Niger Delta cause have spanned more than two decades.

According to him, the decision by Ikuli to withdraw at such a critical moment has triggered concern among many who believe the INC urgently needs individuals with deep knowledge of media strategy, security architecture and geopolitical realities.

He argued that the Ijaw nation currently faces complex challenges, including growing security concerns within communities and forests across the Niger Delta, which require strong voices capable of shaping narratives and articulating strategic solutions at national and international levels.

“Being principled, vocal and locally rooted should never be mistaken for stubbornness,” Bamidele wrote, stressing that individuals willing to challenge the status quo often strengthen institutions and push them toward meaningful reforms.

The appeal comes amid broader efforts to restore unity within the INC following months of tension surrounding its leadership election.

Recently, the Douye Diri administration convened a high-level stakeholders’ meeting at Government House in Yenagoa where the six presidential candidates agreed to withdraw all pending court cases related to the disputed election.

The governor, represented by his deputy Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, commended the aspirants for embracing dialogue and choosing peace over prolonged legal battles.

Key regional institutions including the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE) and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), led by Godknows Boladei Igali, were also praised for their interventions in calming tensions within the organization.

One of the presidential aspirants, Macdonald Igbadiwei, confirmed that the candidates collectively agreed to discontinue legal actions in order to allow a peaceful and transparent process that would produce the next leader of the pan-Ijaw socio-cultural body.

The current president of the INC, Benjamin Okaba, said the reconciliation agreement would allow the congress to utilize the 30-day window approved by its convention to resolve outstanding issues and conduct the rescheduled election.

However, Ikuli’s withdrawal from the publicity secretary race has introduced a new twist into the unfolding political drama.

In his earlier letter announcing the decision, Ikuli explained that he stepped aside to avoid a conflict of roles due to his responsibilities as a media aide to Governor Diri, while reaffirming his commitment to the liberation and development of the Ijaw nation.

Despite that explanation, Bamidele insists the Ijaw nation still needs Ikuli’s voice within the leadership structure of the INC.

He warned that the congress represents more than just an organization, describing it as “the collective voice and conscience of the Ijaw nation,” especially at a time when communities across the Niger Delta face mounting political and security pressures.

The appeal has now triggered fresh debate among stakeholders across the region, with some insisting that Ikuli’s return could strengthen the intellectual and strategic direction of the congress, while others argue that his withdrawal may help prevent further tensions within the already delicate electoral process.

As the countdown to the rescheduled election continues, pressure is steadily mounting on Ikuli to reconsider his decision—raising the possibility that the race for the powerful spokesperson position may not yet be settled.