Tension is mounting ahead of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) national executive election scheduled for Saturday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, following the disqualification of several aspirants.The INC National Electoral Committee (ELECO), chaired by Justice Francis Tabai, released its final list of cleared candidates, excluding some prominent contenders.
The decision has drawn protests from affected aspirants and their supporters.Speaking in Yenagoa, one of the disqualified aspirants, Wisdom Ikuli, expressed concern that the development could trigger divisions within the organisation. He alleged that the electoral committee lacked neutrality and questioned aspects of the nomination process, including the cost of forms and criteria used for disqualification.
Ikuli also called on Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri to intervene, urging a review of the process and broader consultations to prevent internal disputes. Among those reportedly disqualified are Elder Timi Ogoriba and Chief Igbadiwei McDonald, both presidential aspirants, alongside several others seeking different positions.
As of press time, INC President Prof. Benjamin Okaba and members of the electoral committee had not publicly responded to the allegations. Efforts to obtain official comments were ongoing.The election is expected to produce a new national leadership for the socio-cultural organisation representing Ijaw interests.
