The leadership crisis rocking the Ijaw National Congress (INC) took a new turn on Wednesday as His Royal Majesty, King Bubaraye Dakolo, Chairman of the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE), directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of multiple court cases.
The directive follows a controversial election held on 13th April 2026, which produced High Chief MacDonald Igbadiwei as the self-acclaimed President of the apex Ijaw socio-cultural body.
The election, allegedly backed by outgoing President Prof. Benjamin Okaba, has been rejected by CITRE and several stakeholders as “illegal and divisive.”
According to King Dakolo, several aspirants and elders raised petitions over alleged irregularities. Notably, MacDonald Igbadiwei himself approached the court to stop that election.
Following the complaints, CITRE established a reconciliation committee to address grievances. However, before the committee could conclude its work, a faction proceeded with an election on 13th April 2026, announcing Igbadiwei as the winner.
“The same person who went to court to stop the March 7 election turned around to participate in and claim victory in an election we all agreed should be suspended,” King Dakolo said during a press conference in Yenagoa. “Some people think they are smarter than the Ijaw Nation.”
King Dakolo insisted that by INC tradition and structure, the CITRE Chairman is empowered to swear in a duly elected President.
He described the planned 14th May 2026 inauguration by the Igbadiwei-led faction as “an exercise in futility” and warned ELECO and CITRE members against participating.
“If there is no lawful handover, CITRE will take over the affairs of INC pending the resolution of all issues,” he declared. “INC is not a lawless entity. Tomorrow’s inauguration will portend grave problems for the Ijaw Nation.”
He lamented the implications of the disunity, “If the Ijaw cannot handle their affairs efficiently, this is why outsiders can come to the Ijaw Nation and take our oil. Isaac Boro may have died in vain.”
Recall that a Delta State High Court sitting in Warri, presided over by Justice Anthony Olotu, granted an interim injunction on 8th May 2026, restraining CITRE from stopping the swearing-in of High Chief Igbadiwei and other NEC members.
Conversely, the Bayelsa State High Court in Yenagoa, presided over by Hon. Justice Amadise Michael Ekadi, ruled on 12th May 2026 that all parties must “maintain the status quo as of today.” The order specifically barred any party from taking steps that could undermine pending proceedings.
The Yenagoa suit was filed by Rear Admiral Geoffrey Yanga (Rtd), Alabo Nengi James, and Engr. Ebipamowei Wodu. Defendants include Prof. Ben Okaba, HRM Justice F.F Tabai (Rtd), and Dr Olobo Choice Jamaica, representing the 2026 INC National Electoral Committee.
Justice Ekadi adjourned the matter to Thursday, 14th May 2026, the same day Igbadiwei’s faction plans to hold its inauguration.
King Dakolo also raised jurisdictional concerns, noting that the Warri court’s injunction mandating him to swear in Igbadiwei was issued from Delta State, which is “outside the jurisdiction of INC headquarters” in Yenagoa.
Despite the tension, the CITRE Chairman called for calm. “Let’s reason together and give peace a chance,” he appealed. “Nobody should do anything that will plunge the Ijaw Nation into crisis.”
