Legal Dispute Deepens Crisis Over INC Leadership Transition

A fresh legal battle has thrown the leadership transition of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) into uncertainty, as conflicting court orders continue to generate confusion over the planned inauguration of winners from the organisation’s April 13, 2026 election.

The Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE) has warned that any inauguration conducted outside constitutional provisions would be invalid.

Speaking to journalists in Yenagoa, CITRE Chairman and Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, stated that the INC constitution empowers only a traditional ruler appointed by CITRE to inaugurate the National Executive Council.

According to him, no other individual has the constitutional authority to perform the swearing-in ceremony.

King Dakolo also disclosed that there are subsisting court injunctions restraining the inauguration process.

One of the orders was issued by a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt and presided over by Justice Sobere Bionko. In Suit No. PH/C/1415/C6/2026, the court on April 8, 2026, granted an interim injunction restraining CITRE, outgoing INC President Benjamin Okaba, and Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Francis Tabai, from inaugurating or swearing in any persons as officers of the INC.

The suit was filed by Pastor Victor Burubo, Eneyo Athanasius Emmanuel, and Ekene Okeigbeye.

Similarly, a Bayelsa State High Court presided over by Justice Amadise Michael Ekadi on April 12, 2026, ordered all parties to maintain the status quo in a suit instituted by presidential candidate Geoffrey Yanga. The matter was adjourned to April 14, the same date scheduled for the inauguration.

However, CITRE is also reportedly in possession of a counter-order from the Delta State High Court in Warri. The court, presided over by Justice Anthony Olotu Akpovi, restrained CITRE from truncating, suspending, or postponing the inauguration process.

The order was secured by McDonald Igbadiwei, who emerged winner of the disputed April 13 election.

King Dakolo subsequently declared the election null and void over alleged constitutional violations and warned that CITRE would assume responsibility for the affairs of the INC from April 14, 2026, should a leadership vacuum arise following the expiration of Prof. Okaba’s tenure.

When contacted, Prof. Okaba maintained that the inauguration would proceed on Thursday, April 14, although he did not disclose the venue.

Meanwhile, outgoing Vice President 1, Nengi James, who reportedly boycotted the election, said he would not participate in the inauguration and would hand over all INC documents in his possession on April 14 in line with constitutional requirements.

The leadership crisis persists despite earlier intervention by Douye Diri, who appealed to all parties to suspend the inauguration and resolve the legal disputes amicably outside the courts.