Court Stops Ijaw National Congress Election Over Dispute on Candidate Eligibility

A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has issued an order stopping the Ijaw National Congress (INC) from holding its national election earlier slated for Saturday, March 7, 2026.

The interim injunction was granted by Justice Henry Aprioku following a lawsuit filed by High Chief (Barr.) Macdonald Igbadiwei, a contender for the position of National President of the organisation.
In the case numbered PHC/719/CS/2026, Igbadiwei alleged that the INC Electoral Committee was attempting to prevent him from participating in the election.
Those named as defendants in the suit include the Chairman of the INC Electoral Committee, Francis Fedode Tabai, along with committee members Seiyefa Koroye, Dr. Olobo Choice Jamaica, Mrs. Iyoropatei Victoria Odogbo, High Chief (Hon.) Joel Wodubamo Aigbekumo, Mrs. Immaculata Love Amaseimogha, Chief Dr. Ebizimoh Okolo, Dr. Major Iteimowei, Chief Dr. Eniatorudabo A. Harrison, Chief Godwin Efang and Amaopuseniibo Shedrack Fubara.
In his ruling, Justice Aprioku restrained the defendants, their agents and representatives from conducting the INC national election scheduled for March 7 or any other date until the dispute is resolved.
The court further directed the parties involved to seek resolution through the organisation’s Internal Dispute Resolution Committee within seven days.
Justice Aprioku stated that if the matter is resolved internally within the stipulated time, the court may shorten the time for hearing the case. However, if the dispute is not settled, all pending applications will be heard on March 18, 2026.
In an affidavit supporting the suit, Igbadiwei informed the court that he is a member of the INC through the Gbaran Clan in the Central Zone of Bayelsa State and has actively participated in the organisation since 2004.
He explained that he previously served as Chairman of the Apoi Clan from 2004 to 2007 and later held both caretaker and substantive chairman positions of the Gbaran Clan following its establishment.
According to him, he purchased the nomination form for the INC National President position for N1 million and completed the process by submitting all required documents, including nomination and endorsement forms signed by at least 30 members from the Central and Western zonal tiers of the organisation in Bayelsa State.
He stated that the electoral committee accepted his documents at the time of submission without raising any objections.
However, he later received information that the committee had screened him out of the race and intended to proceed with the election without listing his name among the candidates, a development that prompted him to approach the court for intervention.