Following the issuance of an interim order of injunction restraining the conduct of the 2026 national election of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) by a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the INC presidential election earlier scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2026, has been suspended.
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Addressing presidential aspirants and delegates at the INC National Secretariat in Yenagoa, the INC President, Benjamin Okaba, apologized for the inconvenience caused by the sudden development.
He acknowledged the delays and challenges in managing time and resources, stressing that there were important issues that needed to be properly addressed in line with the court order.
Prof. Okaba subsequently invited the aspirants and delegates into the INC Conference Hall where a convention was convened. During the meeting, deliberations were held and decisions were taken to ensure that the presidential election is conducted properly on a new date to be announced.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the convention, a nuclear engineer and leading presidential aspirant, Franklin Erepamo Osaisai, expressed regret over the disruption while reassuring delegates of a peaceful resolution.
“As you all know, we were supposed to have elections today. Accreditation was to start at 8 a.m., and the election was scheduled to commence at 10 a.m. Unfortunately, that has not happened, and we sincerely apologize to delegates who have been here for quite a long time,” he said.
Prof. Osaisai explained that the disruption was caused by a court injunction secured by one of the presidential candidates seeking to halt the electoral process.
“The crisis was occasioned by a court injunction procured by one of the presidential candidates who wanted the process stopped. That injunction was served, and the INC, being a law-abiding institution, has agreed to comply with it.”
He added that the leadership of the INC had immediately begun steps to ensure the election would still be conducted properly within a shorter timeframe before the next leadership is sworn in.
“That is why a convention was convened here, and the delegates have taken a decision. It is a good one because it will bring peace to the INC and to our people. I believe that peace is exactly what the Ijaw nation needs at this moment.”
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