Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The National Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders has announced the indefinite suspension of the Ijaw National Congress elections following escalating disputes over the electoral process and multiple petitions submitted by stakeholders within the Ijaw socio-political structure. According to the decision reached at a meeting held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the suspension affects the previously rescheduled polls for the National Executive Council of the Congress, which were expected to hold on April 13, 2026. Officials said the move was taken to restore order and ensure compliance with constitutional provisions governing internal dispute resolution within the organisation. The development follows weeks of tension, disagreements over delegate lists, and petitions challenging the credibility of the electoral committee tasked with conducting the exercise. Traditional leaders emphasised that all parties must refrain from actions capable of further polarising the Congress until the resolution process is concluded.
At the centre of the decision is the National Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders, widely recognised within the Ijaw National Congress framework as an authority empowered to mediate disputes and safeguard constitutional order. The body said its mandate includes resolving internal disagreements and ensuring that electoral processes within the Congress adhere strictly to established constitutional provisions. In its resolution, it directed the suspension of all electoral activities pending the outcome of a comprehensive review of petitions filed by aggrieved parties. It further instructed the electoral committee to cease all functions relating to the planned polls until further notice is issued.
To address the widening disputes, a seven-member Dispute Resolution Committee was constituted to investigate petitions and recommend appropriate remedies. The committee is expected to review complaints concerning the electoral committee as well as grievances raised by various stakeholders across the Ijaw communities. It will also examine procedural concerns raised in formal petitions submitted during the buildup to the suspended election. Findings from the panel are expected to guide the leadership in determining a new election timeline once all issues are resolved.
The Dispute Resolution Committee is chaired by King Bubaraye Dakolo, Agada IV, the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom and Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council. Other members include representatives drawn from the Eastern, Central and Western zones, alongside respected traditional rulers, academics and elder statesmen appointed to ensure balance and inclusivity. Among them are King Bright Ateke Fiboinumama (Rtd), Chief Silas Eneyo, Dr Loveth Ige, Pere Luke Kalanama III, and Dr Ekiomi Oweigbe John. The composition reflects efforts to balance representation across the Ijaw nation’s geopolitical divisions.
Stakeholders at the meeting appealed for calm and urged all factions to respect the suspension in order to preserve unity within the Congress. They stressed that prolonged disputes could undermine the credibility of the organisation and weaken its ability to represent Ijaw interests effectively at national level. The leadership also called on petitioners to cooperate with the investigative panel and provide necessary documentation to facilitate a transparent review process. Observers say the outcome of the process may shape the future direction of the Congress, depending on how disputes are resolved.
The suspension comes at a critical moment for the Ijaw National Congress, an umbrella socio-cultural organisation representing one of Nigeria’s largest ethnic groups with significant presence across the Niger Delta region. Its internal stability is often viewed as important to broader regional cohesion and engagement with government institutions on issues affecting the oil-rich region. Analysts note that disputes within such organisations can influence negotiations on development, security, and resource management in the Niger Delta. Leaders have pledged that all necessary steps will be taken to ensure a credible and widely accepted electoral process once conditions allow.
The Ijaw National Congress has historically functioned as a key socio-cultural platform for articulating the interests of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, particularly in relation to political representation, environmental concerns, and resource governance in the Niger Delta. Over the years, leadership transitions within the organisation have occasionally been marked by disagreements, petitions and legal or procedural challenges, reflecting broader contestations within community-based institutions across the region. Such developments are not uncommon in large federated ethnic associations, where competing interests often converge during electoral cycles and decision-making processes. In this context, the current suspension underscores ongoing efforts by traditional and elder leadership structures to assert oversight and maintain stability during periods of internal dispute. Attention is now focused on the dispute resolution committee, whose recommendations are expected to determine whether and when the electoral process will resume.
The suspension of the Ijaw National Congress elections introduces a period of uncertainty for stakeholders awaiting leadership renewal within the organisation. While the electoral committee had previously announced a rescheduled date for the polls, that timetable has now been halted pending the outcome of dispute resolution efforts. The intervention by traditional rulers and elders reflects an attempt to preserve institutional integrity and prevent further escalation of disagreements that have affected the electoral process. Until the dispute resolution committee concludes its work and reports its findings, the future of the elections remains unresolved, with no definitive timeline announced for resumption. Stakeholders across the Ijaw nation are expected to monitor developments closely as the committee carries out its mandate, given the significance of the Congress in shaping collective advocacy and engagement with government institutions. The outcome is also likely to influence internal cohesion and future electoral reforms within the organisation, depending on how consensus is ultimately achieved among competing factions. For now, the focus remains on dialogue, adherence to constitutional procedures, and the expectation that a stable framework will emerge to guide the Congress through its next phase of leadership transition.
With attention fixed on the dispute resolution process, observers say the coming weeks will be decisive for the credibility and future direction of the Ijaw National Congress electoral structure as stakeholders await the committee’s recommendations and a possible roadmap for conducting free and acceptable elections across the organisation in the near term.
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