By Francis Wilfred
The President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba, has called on the Justice Francis Tabai-led Electoral Committee (ELECO) to explain to the Ijaw Nation why it reversed its earlier disqualification of several aspirants ahead of Saturday’s national executive election.
Speaking during a media chat at Ijaw House in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Professor Okaba expressed concern over the lack of formal communication regarding the sudden change in candidate status. While videos and statements have circulated on social media suggesting that the affected aspirants were cleared, the outgoing President noted that the leadership of the congress has yet to receive an official report.
Allegations of Unconstitutional Reinstatement
Prof. Okaba maintained that the initial disqualifications were not arbitrary but were based on clear evidence and judicial precedent. Specifically, he cited a 2019 court judgment involving a “Prof. Ajeinka,” which ruled that individuals who are not registered members of the INC are ineligible to lead any organ of the body.
“For me, the earlier position they took was based on evidence,” Okaba stated. “The committee must clarify whether this new decision was based on the provisions of the INC constitution or other regulations outside the constitution.”
Reinstated Aspirants
The controversy centers on a list of high-profile individuals whose disqualifications were reportedly overturned, including:
- Presidential Hopefuls: Elder Timi Ogoriba and Chief Igbadiwei McDonald.
- National Publicity Secretary: Mr. Wisdom Ikuli.
- Assistant Secretaries: Deacon Osuluku Gesikeme, Dirime Jonas, Mr. Asueni Jonathan, and Mr. Profit Amula.
- Others: Barr. Golden (Legal Adviser), Chief Kalati Jephthah (Auditor), and Dr. Lolo Fubara (Financial Secretary).
Transparency and Electronic Transmission
Warning that the reversal casts doubt on the credibility of the upcoming polls, Prof. Okaba also used the briefing to dismiss allegations of executive interference in ELECO’s work.
He disclosed that the electoral committee had previously committed to a real-time electronic transmission of results. This system is intended to display votes immediately as they are counted, a move aimed at aligning the INC elections with global best practices for transparency.
As of press time, efforts to obtain an official reaction from the ELECO Chairman, Justice Francis Tabai, were unsuccessful.
