Court Suspends INC Inauguration, Orders Parties To Maintain Status Quo

A fresh legal dispute has stalled the planned inauguration of a new executive of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) following conflicting court orders over the controversial leadership election held on April 13, 2026.

The development came as the chairman of the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE), King Bubaraye Dakolo, directed all parties involved in the dispute to maintain the status quo, in line with an order issued by the Yenagoa High Court.

The disputed election had produced High Chief MacDonald Igbadiwei as President of the INC, an outcome reportedly backed by the outgoing president, Prof. Ben Okaba.

However, the controversy surrounding the election outcome has triggered legal actions and counter-orders, effectively halting the scheduled inauguration of the new executive.

Speaking at a press conference in Yenagoa yesterday, Dakolo advised members of the Igbadiwei-led executive to stay away from the planned inauguration scheduled for today, May 14, 2026, pending the determination of court cases surrounding the exercise.

The traditional ruler maintained that under the procedures of the organisation, only the CITRE chairman is empowered to swear in an authentic president of the INC.

According to him, a Yenagoa High Court had already ordered parties to maintain the status quo as of May 12, 2026, pending further hearing in the matter.

He said, “Nobody in CITRE, or from ELECO should swear in anybody. If there is no handover, it means that CITRE will take over the affairs of INC pending when all issue are resolved.

“Also there are court orders baring anybody from swearing in anybody. And if this sails through, it will portend a lot of problems for the Ijaw Nation. INC is not a lawless entity. Tomorrow will still be efforts in futility.”

Dakolo, however, disclosed that he also received an injunction from a Warri court directing him not to stop the swearing-in of MacDonald Igbadiwei as the new INC president, noting that the situation had created legal complications over jurisdiction.

Court documents sighted by journalists showed that Justice Anthony Olotu of the Delta State High Court on May 8, 2026, granted an interim injunction restraining CITRE from interfering with the inauguration of Igbadiwei and other elected members of the National Executive Council.

In a separate suit before the Yenagoa High Court, Rear Admiral Geoffrey Yanga (rtd), Alabo Nengi James and Engr. Ebipamowei Wodu were listed as claimants, while Prof. Ben Okaba, HRM Justice F.F. Tibai (rtd) and Dr. Olobo Choice Jamaica, representing members of the 2026 National Electoral Committee, were listed as defendants.

Delivering ruling on the matter, Justice Amadise Michael Ekadi ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of all applications before the court.

The judge stated, “Parties maintain the status quo as at today. No party in this suit inclusive of the party seeking to be joined should take any step to undermine proceedings pending before the court.”

Justice Ekadi subsequently adjourned the matter to May 14, 2026, for hearing of all pending applications linked to the leadership dispute within the INC.