Tension has heightened ahead of the March 7 election of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) following protests by several Ijaw groups over the decision of the National Electoral Committee (N-ELECO) to reinstate some previously disqualified presidential aspirants.
The groups have accused the electoral committee of undermining the integrity of the election by reversing its earlier decision after publishing what was presented as the final list of cleared candidates.
The controversy arose after N-ELECO reportedly reinstated some aspirants it had earlier disqualified for allegedly failing to meet constitutional requirements of the congress.
In a communiqué issued after an emergency virtual meeting, the Ijaw Nation Development Group and the Ijaw Peoples Assembly expressed concern over what they described as the inconsistent position of the electoral committee.
The groups said the initial disqualification of the aspirants was based on the provisions of the INC constitution and questioned the justification for the sudden reversal.
They also expressed worry over reports that the electoral committee may have come under pressure from some of the affected aspirants.
According to the communiqué, overturning decisions taken in line with constitutional provisions could create a dangerous precedent capable of weakening transparency and accountability within the organisation and the wider Ijaw nation.
The groups therefore urged stakeholders to respect the rules and institutions of the congress, stressing that those aspiring to leadership positions in the Ijaw nation must demonstrate integrity, discipline and commitment to due process.
They warned that intimidation or threats should not be allowed to influence decisions of any organ of the organisation.
The communiqué was signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Ijaw Nation Development Group and the Ijaw Peoples Assembly by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dennis Banigo, and the Secretary, Dr. Idah Felix Waboso.
For the Executive Management Committee, the communiqué was endorsed by the President, Chief Dr. Ephraim Etete Ewoh, and the Secretary, Karenate Odusu.
In a separate statement, the Coalition of Ijaw Interest Groups also condemned the decision to reinstate the disqualified aspirants ahead of the election.
The coalition said the reversal, which occurred within a week of the earlier decision, threatens the credibility of the electoral process and could undermine the legitimacy of the outcome if the election proceeds without addressing the concerns raised.
The statement, signed by Ben Okolo, Chief Denzil Kentebe, Elaye Otrofanowei, Pattison Boleigha, Rosemary John-Oduone and Yimovie Dakue-Collins, described the development as an unconstitutional alteration of an earlier decision taken by the electoral committee chaired by F. F. Tabai.
Other signatories included Efiye Bribena, Iniruo Wills, Tare Ekpebu, Annkio Briggs and Ebitimi Egbumukumoh.
The coalition recalled that on February 27, after what it described as a thorough screening exercise, the electoral committee published the final list of aspirants cleared to contest the INC presidential election.
Those initially cleared included Chief Nengi Jamieson James, Engr. Ebipamowei Wodu, Prof. Franklin Erepamo Osaisai and Rear Admiral Woyenidinikpete Yanga (rtd).
However, other aspirants — including Chief Ogoriba, Timi Kaiser-Wilhelm and Igbadiwei MacDonald — were disqualified for allegedly failing to meet the membership requirements stipulated in the congress constitution.
According to the coalition, the electoral committee had earlier explained that some of the affected aspirants either failed to register as members of the congress or joined long after the statutory deadline required for eligibility.
The coalition questioned why the same committee later reversed its decision on March 5 after meeting with some stakeholders and the affected aspirants.
N-ELECO reportedly justified the reversal by adopting what it described as a distinction between “strict compliance” and “substantial compliance” in determining eligibility criteria.
The coalition warned that the development could threaten the unity of the Ijaw umbrella body and reverse gains made by the Ijaw nationality in recent years if the issue is not addressed.
It therefore called on Ijaw stakeholders to urgently intervene in order to preserve the credibility and unity of the organisation ahead of the leadership contest.
