Traditional Rulers Suspend Ijaw National Congress Election

Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty King Bubaraye Dakolo, has suspended the planned National Executive Council (NEC) election of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), citing constitutional violations and unresolved disputes.

At a press briefing in Yenagoa, the state capital, yesterday, the monarch, who also chairs the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE), said the decision followed a meeting held on April 9, 2026,  to address the crisis surrounding the electoral process.

He stated that the earlier-scheduled election for April 13, 2026, had been postponed until all issues are resolved, stressing that CITRE remains the highest authority for resolving disputes within the INC structure.

“Elections into the National Executive Council of the Ijaw National Congress, which were scheduled for Monday, 13th April, 2026, have been suspended until further notice,” he said.

The royal father disclosed that a seven-man committee had been set up to investigate and resolve all issues related to the electoral process, adding that no organ of the INC should proceed with any election until the committee concludes its work.

He warned that any attempt to proceed with the election would constitute a violation of the INC constitution and a disregard for constituted authority.

“The decision of CITRE shall be final in such disputes. So CITRE in the Ijaw Nation is as good as the Supreme Court,” he stated.

Dakolo expressed concern over what he described as multiple constitutional breaches, including the rescheduling of the election without proper consultation and the failure to address petitions against the electoral committee.

He also questioned the independence of the electoral body, noting that there were allegations of interference and irregularities in the process leading to the aborted election.

“The roundtable exposed deep structural weaknesses; there are several electoral disputes in my file, complaints against ELECO itself and irregularities,” he said.

The monarch further criticised the publication of a new election timetable on social media without notifying CITRE, describing it as unacceptable and a breach of due process.

Dakolo revealed that he had written to security agencies, including the commissioner of police, to prevent any gathering or attempt to conduct the election until the issues were resolved.

He emphasised that the constitution clearly empowers CITRE to handle all disputes arising from the electoral process, urging the stakeholders to respect the rule of law and avoid actions that could further deepen the crisis.