By: Our Reporter.

Tension is mounting in the Izon Nation ahead of the forthcoming national executive election of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), following the disqualification of some aspirants from the contest.

The development has sparked concerns that the election, scheduled to hold this Saturday at the Ijaw national headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, may be disrupted if urgent steps are not taken to address grievances raised by affected contestants.

The controversy reportedly began after the Chairman of the National Electoral Committee (ELECO), Justice Francis Tabai, released the final list of cleared candidates on Saturday. Some prominent aspirants, including Elder Timi Ogoriba, were absent from the list, a situation that has generated discontent among their supporters.

There are allegations from aggrieved aspirants that the outgoing President of the INC, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, is allegedly backing certain candidates. However, no official response had been issued by Prof. Okaba or the electoral committee as of press time.

One of the disqualified aspirants for the position of National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Wisdom Ikuli, who spoke with journalists in Yenagoa, described the development as capable of creating avoidable tension within the fourth-largest ethnic nationality in Nigeria.

Ikuli questioned the composition of the electoral committee, alleging that its members were nominated by the current national executive, including individuals seeking re-election. According to him, the traditional process requires zones and clans to nominate representatives to ensure neutrality.

He also raised concerns over the cost of nomination forms, stating that forms for the office of President were sold for N1 million, while those for Vice President and Secretary were sold for N750,000. Forms for other positions, he said, were sold for N500,000. He alleged that the committee realized about N28 million from aspirants prior to the disqualifications.

On the criteria for disqualification, Ikuli argued that the cited grounds of non-participation in INC activities were not clearly defined in the constitution. He maintained that once a member is duly registered, such a person is eligible to vote and be voted for, adding that participation in clan, zonal, or national activities should suffice as proof of involvement.

He further alleged that seven out of the ten disqualified aspirants were aligned with Elder T.K. Ogoriba’s slate.

Ikuli also expressed reservations about the introduction of an electronic voting consultant, alleging that the consultant was brought in by the INC President, thereby raising questions about the credibility of the process.

Calling for intervention, the Ogbia-born social activist appealed to Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, whom he described as the Governor-General of the Ijaw Nation, to step in and prevent a possible crisis.

He suggested that a new electoral committee be constituted and that the election be postponed to allow for reconciliation and resolution of the issues raised.

“We have lost confidence in the ELECO. Ijaw leaders should rise to the occasion and take necessary steps to prevent factionalisation of the INC,” he said.

The ten disqualified aspirants include Elder Timi Ogoriba and Chief Igbadiwei McDonald (both presidential hopefuls), Mr. Wisdom Ikuli (Publicity Secretary), Deacon Osuluku Gesikeme (Assistant Secretary), Dirime Jonas (Assistant Secretary), Mr. Asueni Jonathan (Assistant Secretary), Mr. Profit Amula (Assistant Secretary), Barr.

Golden (Legal Adviser), Chief Kalati Jephthah (Auditor), and Dr. Lolo Fubara (Financial Secretary).

As of the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain an official reaction from the INC leadership and the electoral committee were ongoing.