As controversies continue to embroil the election of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Ijaw foremost socio-cultural organisation, the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Elder Timi-Kaiser Wilhelm Ogoriba, a front line presidential candidate who boycotted the election, has insisted that the April 13, 2026 INC national executive election was conducted illegally.
Addressing a world press conference in Yenagoa in Bayelsa State on Friday, Elder Ogoriba declared that failure to adhere to the directive of the National Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (N-CITRE) will result in the INC existing without a functional National Executive Council.
He explained that he called the world press conference to address the recent developments in the Izon nation and to ensure every Izon citizen understands that the purported INC Elections of the 13th of April 2026 was a Charade.
“My name is Elder Timi-Kaiser Wilhelm Ogoriba, a candidate for the post of President of the Izon National Congress. I am a native of Odi, in Kolokuma Kingdom of Bayelsa State and a firm believer in the upholding of our traditions, cultures, respect for leadership and protecting the shared values and resources of the Izon Nation.
“For the umpteenth time, I want to state clearly, some of the reasons that made me to opt out from the illegality that was perpetuated by NEC and ELECO; first, the unresolved disputes that are before the National Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (N-CITRE), and secondly, the CITRE declaration that election should not hold to which they have put up a Seven (7) man committee to look into.
“It is worthy to note that the Ijaw National Congress (INC) as a human organization is also prone to have controversies, disputes, misunderstandings, just like any other unit of the human society that is made up of people with different family backgrounds. It is in recognition of this that the INC constitution established the body known as the conference of Izon Traditional Rulers and Elders CITRE. This body is the only permanent organ of the INC being made up of First Class Traditional Rulers and Respected Izon Elders of repute.
“It is vested with the highest and final authority over controversies, disputes, and misunderstandings on any issue affecting officers, members, and organs of the INC.
“Sequel to the reconciliatory meeting of the 13th of March, 2026 that was convened at the Creek Haven, Government House at the instance of His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State who doubles as the Governor-General of the Ijaw Nation, it was resolved that CITRE which is vested with INC’s Constitutional powers to handle all disputes emanating within the INC, including election matters and other related controversies as enshrined in article 14 (D) 2 – d, e, f, g, h, i, j and k), which reads;
(d) Appoint the members of Electoral Committees on the recommendations of the National Executive Council.
(e) Settle dispute (s) arising from elections.
(f) Settle disputes between members, officers, and organs of Congress.
“The decision of CITRE shall be final in such disputes.
(g) Without prejudice to the rights of members, all internal mechanism (s) of settling dispute (s) must first be explored and exhausted by members or officers of Congress before resorting to other dispute settlement measures.
“(h) Consciously defend the inalienable rights of Ijaws to their territories or homelands; and that No Ijaw Traditional ruler or Elder shall have the right to concede any portion of Ijaw land to anybody or group of persons; for they hold the portion of Ijaw land under their Clans and sub-clans only in trust for the Ijaw people as a whole.
“(i) Advise the National Executive Council and all other organs of Congress on matters relating to the cultural heritage and good governance of Ijaw people.
(j) Liaise with and represent Congress in meetings with other traditional rulers and/ or elders within the Nigerian Nation State to influence decisions in Nigeria in the interest of Ijaw people.
“(k)Without prejudice to the provisions of Articles 14B (2) and 14C(2) of this Constitution, CITRE shall also perform the functions of the National Executive Council or the National Representative Council in the case of a lacuna as a result of dissolution or the expiration of any tenure.
Sadly enough, the outgoing INC NEC and the ELECO in flagrant disregard of the resolutions of the 13th Meeting and CITRE’s constitutional powers, unilaterally rescheduled elections without waiting for CITRE’s report on the pending disputes before them.
“Worthy of note is the fact that the outgoing NEC is a beneficiary of the sanctity of CITRE. As of the time the present NEC came onboard, there was no organ of congress to initiate and supervise the process except CITRE, which midwifed the processes that brought the present NEC into existence.
Therefore, why is Okaba’s NEC disregarding the CITRE that brought them into existence?
“Again, N-CITRE is the highest decision making body of congress and if in their wisdom sent out clear-cut instructions, then we have no other choice than to obey because section 22 (C & D), which states that:
“The Inauguration shall be conducted by the National Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (N-CITREL).
“The Inauguration meetings shall be presided over by one of the Traditional Rulers Present, chosen by the Traditional Rulers and Elders.” Therefore, if we go against their instructions, will they be there to inaugurate any of us that emerges as a winner?
“MY POSITION:
CITRE’s pronouncement is ongoing, and it is Sacrosanct, and it behooves on every Izon patriot to look onto CITRE and wait on the 7-man committee to conclude their assignment for CITRE to act upon. By this special Press Conference, I am calling on all Izon true patriots to condemn this display of anomie and rise to stand behind CITRE and ensure that a proper INC election is scheduled and conducted after the resolutions of the disputes.
“Finally, I and my teeming supporters will back CITRE fully, and we will not allow our highly respected CITRE to be ignored with impunity. We therefore encourage and assure the Ijaw Nation that we will stand with and by CITRE to ensure our nation is cleansed of the already displayed rascality,” Elder Ogoriba reiterated.
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