Election Row: Ijaw Women Reject ‘Illegal’ Process

Women under the aegis of the Ijaw Women’s Rights Group have rejected what they described as an “illegal” process surrounding the recent Ijaw National Congress (INC) national executive elections.

They insisted that any outcome from a flawed procedure would not stand.

In a press statement made available to LEADERSHIP Friday, the group said the crisis within the apex socio-cultural body of the Ijaw nation stemmed from a breach of due process, disregard for constitutional order and actions that have weakened collective trust.

The statement signed by Dr Timiebi Koripamo-Agary on behalf of the Ijaw Women’s Rights Group, questioned the legitimacy of a reported ad-hoc committee constituted on April 13, the same day of the disputed elections.

The group said, “We reject deliberate ambiguity. A committee without defined parties, stated disputes, or a legal foundation is not conflict resolution. It is institutional camouflage.”

It raised questions about the committee’s mandate, including the identity of the aggrieved parties, the nature of the grievances, and the constitutional authority under which the panel operates.

According to the women, internal dispute resolution within the INC is constitutionally vested in its Conflict Resolution Committee (CITRE), not in an ad hoc arrangement.

They maintained that the matter at hand is one of legitimacy rather than perception, noting that when key stakeholders decline to participate, the credibility of the process becomes questionable.

“Process is the foundation of authority. Once subverted, outcomes cannot stand,” the statement added.

The group also expressed concern about what it described as emerging patterns in civic and political spaces, while noting that it would refrain from addressing specific actors due to ongoing judicial proceedings.

It, however, cautioned that historical relevance should not be conflated with constitutional legitimacy, stressing that past roles do not automatically confer present authority.

The women warned against situations in which influence operates without mandate or in which pressure replaces due process, noting that such developments could undermine institutional order.

They further cautioned that the patience of the Ijaw people, particularly women, should not be overstretched, stressing that any attempt to distort constitutional processes or impose outcomes would be met with lawful and collective resistance.

Reaffirming their position, the group insisted on accountability, adherence to the INC constitution, and correction of all processes it considers inconsistent with established procedures.

“We will not be intimidated. We will not be distracted. We will not be silenced,” the statement said.