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By Oluseye Ojo
Frontline presidential candidate in the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Elder Timi-Kaiser Wilhelm Ogoriba, has declared the April 13 National Executive Council (NEC) election of the body illegal.
He warned that any outcome not sanctioned by the National Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE) could not produce a valid leadership.
In a statement made available to journalists on Monday, Ogoriba, who boycotted the poll, maintained that the election was conducted in defiance of CITRE’s directive and ongoing dispute resolution process, describing the exercise as a charade.
He stressed that failure to comply with CITRE’s authority could leave the INC without a functional NEC. He noted that the body remains the apex and final arbiter on all disputes within the organisation.
Ogoriba explained that his decision to opt out of the election was based on unresolved disputes already before CITRE, as well as a standing directive by the council that elections should not hold pending the outcome of a seven-man committee it constituted to address the issues.
According to him, the INC constitution clearly vests CITRE with sweeping powers, including appointing members of electoral committees, settling election-related disputes, resolving conflicts among members and organs, and acting in place of the NEC in the event of a vacuum.
He recalled that at a reconciliatory meeting held on March 13, 2026 at the Creek Haven, Government House, Yenagoa, convened at the instance of Bayelsa State governor, Douye Diri, it was resolved that CITRE should handle all disputes arising within the INC, including those related to the election.
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Despite this, Ogoriba accused the outgoing NEC and the electoral committee (ELECO) of unilaterally rescheduling and conducting the election without waiting for CITRE’s report.
He described the move as a flagrant disregard for the organisation’s constitution and the authority of its highest organ.
He further argued that the current NEC itself owes its existence to CITRE, which, according to him, midwifed the process that brought the leadership into office at a time when no other organ of the congress was in place.
Questioning the legitimacy of any leadership produced outside CITRE’s approval, Ogoriba noted that the same body is constitutionally empowered to conduct inaugurations of elected officers.
He warned that disregarding its directives raises doubts about whether any declared winners could be lawfully sworn in.
He insisted that CITRE’s pronouncements remain sacrosanct and urged all Ijaw stakeholders to await the outcome of the committee’s findings before proceeding with any electoral process.
He called on true Izon patriots to reject what he described as a breakdown of order within the congress and to rally behind CITRE to ensure a credible and constitutionally compliant election.
Ogoriba pledged the full support of himself and his followers to CITRE, and vowed that they would resist any attempt to sideline the council and ensure that the integrity of the Ijaw nation’s foremost socio-cultural organisation is preserved.
