INC National Election Suspended Following Congress Resolution Amid Court Injunction

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INC National Election Suspended Following Congress Resolution Amid Court Injunction

By Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi

The leadership of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has announced that the planned 2026 national election of the organization will not hold as earlier scheduled, following a resolution reached by Congress amid ongoing internal consultations and a court injunction.

The announcement was made by the Chairman of the Congress, who disclosed that the decision was reached after deliberations among stakeholders in response to the emerging legal and internal issues surrounding the electoral process.

The development comes barely a day after a High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, issued an interim injunction restraining the conduct of the national elections of the Ijaw National Congress.

The Court Order

The ruling was delivered on Friday, March 6, 2026, by Hon. Justice S. H. Aprioku of the High Court of Rivers State, Port Harcourt Judicial Division.

The injunction followed a suit filed by High Chief (Barr.) Macdonald Igbadiwei, who approached the court to challenge aspects of the electoral process.

The case, marked PHC/719/CS/2026, lists several individuals as defendants, including members of the INC Electoral Committee responsible for organizing the 2026 national elections.

Those named in the suit include:

  • HRM Justice F. F. Tabai (Rtd)

  • HRM King Dr. Seiyefa Koroye

  • Dr. Olobo Choice Jamaica

  • Mrs. Yoropatie Victoria Odogbo

  • High Chief (Hon.) Joel Wodubamo Aigbekumo

  • Mrs. Immaculata Love Amaseimogha

  • Chief Dr. Ebizimoh Okolo

  • Dr. Major Itemowei

  • Chief Dr. Eniatorudabo A. Harrison

  • Chief Godwin Efang

  • Amaopusienibo Shedrack Fubara

The individuals were sued both personally and in their capacities as the Chairman and members of the Electoral Committee, while the Ijaw National Congress itself was listed as the 12th defendant in the matter.

Court Encourages Internal Resolution

In granting the interim injunction, the court restrained the defendants, their agents, and anyone acting on their behalf from conducting the national elections scheduled for March 7, 2026, or any other date pending the determination of the matter before the court.

Justice Aprioku also directed that the dispute be referred to the Internal Dispute Resolution Committee of the Ijaw National Congress, giving the parties seven days to attempt to resolve the issues internally.

The court further ruled that if the dispute is not resolved through internal mechanisms, all pending applications in the case will be heard on March 18, 2026.

Negotiations Among Stakeholders

Prior to the latest announcement, the President of the Ijaw National Congress had confirmed that negotiations were ongoing among stakeholders in a bid to find an amicable resolution to the dispute.

The discussions were aimed at preserving unity within the organization and preventing further escalation of the disagreement.

Congress Takes Final Decision

Following consultations and deliberations, the INC Congress has now resolved that the national election scheduled for today will not hold, effectively suspending the process pending further developments.

Observers believe the decision reflects an attempt by the leadership of the organization to respect both the court process and the internal mechanisms for resolving disputes within the congress.

Significance for the Ijaw Nation

The Ijaw National Congress remains the foremost socio-cultural organization representing the interests of the Ijaw ethnic nationality across the Niger Delta, making its leadership structure a matter of major concern for stakeholders in the region.

The organization has historically played a critical role in advocating for resource control, environmental justice, political inclusion, and regional development.

Consequently, the outcome of the ongoing dispute and the eventual conduct of the national election are expected to shape the direction of the organization in the coming years.

What Happens Next

Attention is now shifting to the Internal Dispute Resolution Committee, which has been tasked with mediating the issues within seven days as directed by the court.

If the dispute is successfully resolved internally, the organization may proceed with arrangements for a new election date.

However, if the parties fail to reach an agreement, the matter will return to the High Court in Port Harcourt on March 18, 2026, where the legal process will continue.

For now, the Ijaw National Congress election remains suspended, as leaders and stakeholders continue consultations aimed at safeguarding unity within the organization.

Source: Rivers State High Court Document / INC Congress Resolution

Tags

Ijaw National Congress, INC Election Suspension, Niger Delta Politics, Rivers State High Court, INC Leadership Crisis, Ijaw Congress Resolution


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