IJAW NATIONAL CONGRESS, NORTH AMERICA CHAPTER ELECT NEW EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS 16 YEARS AFTER: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE…

Ijaws under the aegis of Ijaw National Congress North America Chapter (INC, NAC) made history on Saturday May 14, 2022, when they came together to elect new Chapter Executive Committee Members for the first time to pilot the affairs of Congress in the Americas for the next 3yrs.  Since the National Executive Council of INC under the leadership of Late Prof. Kimse Okoko set up the Chapter in Houston in 2006 during his second term in office as National President, the Chapter have not held any election to choose her Executive Committee Members.

The journey to this day has not been an easy one. So that history is not lost on us, it is imperative to document and give the historical background of the various issues that have bedeviled the INC North America Chapter since its inauguration. Albeit, courage, determination, steadfastness, truth and the love of Ijaw Nation, etc., made this day possible for Ijaws in the Americas.

On inauguration of the Chapter by NEC, the pioneer Chairman – Mr. Justus Wariya was appointed to pilot the affair of the Chapter. Wariya alongside other appointed Exco members did their best to grow the Chapter including incorporation of the Organization in the US as Ijaw National Congress USA, Inc.(INCUSA) and membership drive. His tenure lasted for about7years without any election. Not long after Mr. Wariya handed over his Chairmanship position to Mr. Sunny Engi, following Wariya’s appointment in Nigeria, crisis started to rock the Chapter due to failure of the later to follow due process in doing things.

However, members were determined to give Mr. Sunny Engi support to lead in line with the Constitutional Provisions. It is this support from members that led to the participation of the North America Chapter in the National Election held at Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on March 16, 2013; for the first time. Members of the Chapter travelled to Nigeria and participated as delegates in that Election. Some of the delegates are: Mr. Sunny Engi, Alabo (Dr.) Young Fiabema, Amaopusenibo Shedrack Fubara, Sir. Andrew Isiaye, to mention but a few 

It is also important to note that as part of activities leading up to that election, North America Chapter in collaboration with Europe Chapter created an Election Debate Commission which under the Chairmanship of Amaopusenibo Shedrack Fubara. The Debate Commission partnered with ELECO and all the Candidates to organize the first ever Tele-Debate (Conference call) for all aspirants in any INC Election. All the aspirants were given the opportunity to present their manifestos and to debate each other after which the two Diaspora Chapters had good knowledge of the Candidates. The highpoint of the 3-days debate was the heated exchange between the two Presidential candidates – Late DR. T.A.T Allison and HDH (Senator) Tari Sekibo. At the end of the hotly contested election which INC North America and Europe Chapters participated as delegates, HDH (Senator) Dr Tari Sekibo was elected President of Congress, but he died untimely on November 18, 2013.

Upon return from Nigeria after the National election, members of the Chapter held several meetings with Mr. Sunny Engi presiding even though he was not elected as Chairman nor appointed by NEC to replace Mr. Wariya. Several attempts were made to resolve the leadership issues internally, but all fell on deaf ears as Mr. Engi was determined to do things unconstitutionally, appoint people into Exco unilaterally and not take directives from NEC. Consequently, 3 key stakeholders namely Alabo (Dr.) Young Fiabema, Amaopusenibo Shedrack and Elder David Solomon wrote a petition dated November 28, 2013, to NEC of Congress pointing out all the irregularities and several breaches of the Constitution by Mr. Engi. One of the demands of the petitioners was that election into the Chapter EXCO be conducted in line with the provisions of the INC Constitution which clearly specifies how the offices are to be zoned to ensure inclusiveness against the unilateral handpicking of Exco Members by Mr. Engi.

On receipt of the Petition, the National Executive led by the then Acting-President of Congress, Engr. Charles Ambaiowei, MNSE, made several efforts including a planned peace meeting in Dallas, Texas, to address the issues raised by the petitioners, all to no avail as Mr. Engi will not submit himself to constituted authority.  On December 16, 2013, the National Executive of INC passed a resolution that the Sunny Engi led Exco was not recognized and also formally dissolved the remnant of the Interim Board headed by Mr. Justus Wariya as constituted by former President of Congress – Prof. Kimse Okoko (Late); for failing to organize and hold election in line with the Constitution, 7yrs after. However, Mr. Engi did not heed to the directive of NEC as he continued to parade himself as the Chairman of the Chapter. He even went further to plan a Convention wherein honours and awards were to be given out to Ijaw sons and daughters, in total contravention of the INC Constitution which gives the authority to confer honours on anyone to ONLY the National Executive Council of Congress.

Consequently, NEC in a letter dated July 17, 2014, appointed a 7-man Interim Committee and 3-man Electoral Committee namely:

INTERIM COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

1. Mrs. Nyengiebi Akamande – Chairman
2. Mr. Julius Enarusai – Vice Chairman

iii. Amaopusenibo Stephen Benstowe – Secretary

1. Dr. May LoLo Banigo – Publicity Secretary
2. Dr. Sobomabo Lawson – Financial Secretary
3. Dr. Boston Edogi – Organizing Secretary

vii. Dr. Ariaye Nanette Icho – Treasurer

ELECTORAL-COMMITTEE MEMBERS

1. Ms. Irene Toyo – Chairman
2. Amaopusenibo Shedrack Fubara – Member

iii. Mr. Akpoebi Okorowanta – Secretary

The general Assembly in 2021 voted to dissolve the ELECO appointed in 2014 and also elected the following persons to make up the NAC EXCO as directed by NEC:

viii Attorney Timi Ogun – Legal Adviser

1. Prof. Chris Abili – Auditor
2. Prof. Ebenezer Oriaku – Assistant Secretary

xi Mr. Justus Wariya – Ex Officio Member

The Interim Committee led by Mrs. Nyengiebi Akamande and the 3-member Election Committee were sworn-in on August 1, 2014, and charged with the following:

The Interim Committee shall discharge all Executive functions as stipulated in the INC Constitution for the Chapter level and in addition whatever are decided as byelaws with respect to your locality in so far as it does not conflict with the provisions of the INC Constitution. The Electoral Committee is to conduct election into the Offices of the Chapter in compliance with the Constitution of Congress. Both Committees are to complete this National assignment in three (3) months with effect from August 1, 2014.

Soon after inauguration, the interim Exco and Electoral Committee settled down to work. Several meetings were held, and decisions reached on very pertinent issues affecting the Chapter namely: Legal Status of the Chapter in North America, Incorporation with IRS, Mediation/peace talk with Mr. Sunny Engi & others, membership registration, Election of new Exco following the INC Constitution, to mention but a few. Sub-committees were set up to handle each of these subject matters.

Unfortunately, the sub-committee on Peace/Reconciliation with Mr. Engi & Co made little or no progress as talks fell through; so Exco dissolved the sub-committee and voted to seek the help of notable Ijaw sons to mediate and reconcile all members.

The Exco members present at the meeting voted to have two independent and neutral Ijaw sons namely: Hon. (Dr.) Kingsley Kuku, Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta & Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Program and Mr. Charles Preye Zuofa, Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Mobilization to Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, handle the reconciliation/peace parley with Mr. Sunny Engi & others. And the Chapter interim Chairman, was charged with the responsibility of contacting Hon. (Dr). Kingsley K. Kuku and Mr. Charles Zuofa whom without hesitation agreed to intervene to bring peace to the Chapter.

THE 2014 WASHINGTON PEACE MEETING:

Relative peace finally returned to the INC North America Chapter following the quick and immediate intervention of Hon. (Dr.) Kingsley Kemebradigha Kuku who convened the now famous “2014 Washington Peace Meeting’’ on September 20, 2014.  K3 as he is popularly called by his admirers and known for his popular mantra “there is no bad peace” brought together critical stakeholders and observers from Nigeria, Europe and North America to Washington Dc, USA. The meeting started about 11p.m on September 20 and lasted until 5a.m on Sept 21, 2014. Later that day, almost everyone at the peace meeting travelled to New York City to meet with other Ijaw sons and daughters to welcome the then Nigeria President, (Dr) Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, and to also match the streets of New York to draw World Leaders’ attention to the incessant killing of Nigerians by Boko Haram.

Notable personalities who were arbitrators at the peace meeting include: High Chief (Arc.) Denzil Amagbe Kentebe – National Organizing Secretary, Mr. Steve Benamaisia – Chairman, INC- Europe Chapter, Elder Rowland Ekperi, Elder (Engr.) Ebi Komonibo, Mr. Terry Leandou, Hon. Udengs Eradiri, Mr.Eugene Abels, Hon. Charles Preye Zuofa, to mention but a few.

At the end of the presentations by the Petitioners, Interim Exco delegation and Mr. Sunny Engi group, the panel of arbitrators resolved as stated below with an understanding that though the resolutions from the arbitration process was binding on all parties, only the National Executive Council (NEC) of INC had the FINAL decisions of adopting all, some or none of these resolutions/suggestions from the peace accord:

1. a) commended the petitioners – Alabo (Dr.) Young Fiabema, Amaopusenibo Shedrack Fubara and Elder David Solomon for their zeal and love for Ijaw Nation. And advised that in future; to always exhaust all internal conflict resolution mechanisms within the INC in North America before resorting to writing petitions to the worldwide or parent body.
2. b) commended Mr. Sunny Engi for his love for Ijaw Nation and efforts at keeping INC in North America going. He was encouraged to respect constituted authority within the INC. Members of his group were commended for holding the fort gallantly in North America until now. They were enjoined to now join the electoral process and present themselves for election, if they so desired.
3. c) INC-W was advised to expand the current electoral committee from 3 to 7 members. The additional members were to be: 2 from Sunny Engi group; 1 from the petitioners and 1 from INC-W. These would be the only persons who cannot present themselves for elections.
4. d) that a caretaker Committee, which, the Interim Board essentially is, is needed in times of crisis/conflict. Since there was no more conflict, the Interim Board was advised to CONSIDER dissolving itself. Members of the board who were interested in participating in the election process in INC, NAC were encouraged to resign so they would be free to take part in the process. This was because there was a clause in the letter of appointment signed by the members prohibiting them from presenting themselves for election. The panel opined that there were not enough Ijaws in North America for credible people to be barred from contesting.
5. e) all parties were enjoined to refrain from talking to any one individual or groups about the deliberations of the night until High Chief (Arc.) Amagbe Kentebe, who was the only participant allowed to communicate the agreements reached at this meeting to INC-W has had the opportunity to do so. The mediators agreed to support High Chief Kentebe at such a time when he would be presenting his report to INC-NEC.

Consequently, NEC after reviewing the report by High Chief Amagbe Kentebe – the then National Organizing Secretary, resolved as follows: 

1. NEC agreed to the suggestion of a 7-man electoral board as recommended by the panel; but waived the right to nominate 1 person Instead, conceded that to the Interim Committee since the latter, and not NEC, lives in North America.
2. NEC approved allowing members of the Interim Committee go ahead and run for elections if they so desire after their tenure is over or to resign if they feel conflicted in any way. 

iii. NEC extended the tenure of Interim Committee and ELECO for two more months.

Upon receipt of the letter of the resolution/decision of NEC, the Interim Committee reached out to Mr. Sunny Engi to make nomination to the ELECO, but all the Exco efforts were rebuffedby Mr. Engi and his group insisting that NEC should dissolve the Interim Committee completely.

Following the refusal of Mr. Engi and his followers to come on board, the Interim Committee carried on with her mandate of bringing new members, writing bylaw and Incorporating INC North America Chapter with IRS under the name – Ijaw National Congress of the Americas (US, CANADA, MEXICO, etc) in line with local laws of United States of America. And finally collaborating with the new ELECO to conduct a free, fair and credible election for the first time in the history of the North America Chapter.

One of the very major notable achievement of the out-going Interim Committee was the collaboration with Europe Chapter and ELECO to organize a Virtual Debate for all the candidates who contested in the 2021 INC Election at the National level. This first of its kind virtual debate was a remarkable improvement from the first ever Tele-Debate conducted by the Diaspora Chapters’ Debate Commission in 2013. This time around the Election Debate Commission coordinated by Amaopusenibo Shedrack Fubara leveraged technology and deployed virtual platform (Zoom) to bring together Ijaw sons and daughters around the world face-to-face with the candidates to participate in the first of its kind virtual debate by any Pan Socio-cultural Organization. Moderators for the Debate were selected from North America, Europe and a seasoned journalist in Nigeria nominated by ELECO. The moderators for the debate were – Alabo (Dr). Young Fiabema, Dr Boma Douglas and Ms. Ibiba Don-Pedro. The Debate Commission conducted the debate creditably to the admiration of all observers and INC members worldwide.

After the 2 days Debate which took place on April 25^th and 26^th2021, 8- members of North America Chapter joined other delegates totaling 480 to vote through an epochal E-voting innovation introduced Chief (Prof) Isaac Zeb Obipi , a member of the ELECO. This innovation was used for the first time and the election has since been adjudged as one the best, free and fair election ever organized to elect leadership of Congress at the National level.

IJAW NATIONAL CONGRESS – LEADERSHIP CRISIS, MENDING THE BROKEN FENCE:

The INC worldwide was plunged into crisis following impeachment of Barrister Boma Obuoforibo as President of Congress for gross misconduct on November 10, 2015, at the INC Secretariat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.  It would be recalled that following the impeachment of Prof. Atuboyedia Obianime in November 2011, Senator (Dr.) Tari Sekibo was elected on March 16, 2013, to succeed him. But unfortunately, he died on November 18, 2013, and Engr. Charles Ambaiowei the then Vice-President became Acting-President until a fresh election was conducted and Barr. Obuoforibo was elected as INC President on January 15, 2015.

But shortly after Obuoforibo’s emergence, he was suspended from office for acts of misconduct and the act was passed to INC’s legislative body, National Representative Council, which then set up a seven-man committee to investigate all the allegations. On November 10, 2015, his impeachment was announced. To fill the vacuum created, the then Vice President, Engr. Charles Ambaiowei, was again appointed the Acting-President.

Following all the controversies, prominent Ijaw leaders, including Governor Seriake Dickson and the Chairman, INC Board of Trustee, Chief Edwin Clark, refused to endorse the purported impeachment of Obuoforibo, or recognize Engr.Charles Ambaiowei as Acting President. As far as these critical stakeholders were concerned, Obuoforibo’s impeachment never occurred.

Stakeholders later appointed an INC Interim Steering Committee with Amb. Godknows Boladei Igali as Acting-Chairman and DIG Michael Zuokumor (retd.) Secretary. The Steering Committee toured all zones to unite all members and sued for peace. The efforts of the Steering led to the appointment of another Electoral Committee (ELECO) to conduct election.

And on Saturday June 29, 2019, ELECO under the Chairmanship of Rear Admiral W. Yanga (retd.) was in the process of collating results when some angry youths stormed the venue of the election – the Ijaw House, Yenagoa, switched off the Generator and carted away ballot boxes as delegates scampered for safety. The election was later declared inconclusive because the supplementary Election scheduled for July 20^th, 2019, could not hold due to threats and security concerns.

The various crisis of leadership at the National level equally affected the functioning of all organs of Congress at Community, Clans, Zones and Chapters Levels for close to a decade. However, hope came following the reconciliatory exercise carried out by a Peace Committee led by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice F. F. Tabai and the final intervention of the current Governor of Bayelsa State – His Excellency Gov. Douye Diri, Royal Fathers and critical stakeholders, all parties agreed to sheath their sword and embrace peace in the interest of Ijaw Nation.

And soon after, the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE) appointed an 11-Member ELECO namely: Eastern Zone– (a) Alabo Emeritus Prof. Dagogo Fubara, (b) Chief Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi (Ogulacha II), (c) Chief Jacob A. E. Otuawaji and (d) Hon. Dr. Mrs. Daba Abbeyba Boyle. Central Zone – (a) Prof. Samuel G. Edoumiekumo, (b) Chief Sir Engr, Henry Domo-Spiff, (c) Princes Rosemary Naingba-Oduone and (d) Dr. Ipeghan G. Igenewari. Western Zone – (a) Hon. Prince O, Johnny, (b) Chief Robinson Ogunkoru and (b) Princes Adesola Ebiseni; to conduct the National election.

So, on April 30, 2021, 480-registered Delegates of INC around the world came together at the Ijaw House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, to elect new National Officers in a hitch free election, using the E-voting process.

The current NEC Members are:

1. Professor Benjamin Ogele Okaba – President 
2. Mr. Atamuno Atamuno – Vice President 1
3. Alabo Nengi James – Vice President 2
4. High Chief F.J Williams – Vice President 3
5. Engr. Ebipamowei Wodu – General Secretary
6. Hon. Samson Uroupa – Asst. General Secretary
7. High Chief Agu Brown Philip – Treasurer 
8. Mr. Kennedy Odiowei – Financial Secretary
9. Mr. Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha – National Publicity Secretary
10. Mr. Onengiofori Fenibo – National Organizing Secretary
11. Barrister Bomo Tons Fetepgi-Obhe – National Legal Adviser
12. Mrs. Alali Danagogo – National Women Affairs Secretary
13. Mrs. Peremo Isenah Opiah – National Welfare Secretary
14. Mr. Abisagbo Tamara Emi – National Auditor

INC NORTH AMERICA CHAPTER ELECT NEW EXECUTIVES AT LAST:

Following the election of New National Executive and the directive by NEC for Organs of Congress at all levels to be formally constituted, the General Assembly of INC North America Chapter and the EXCO dissolved the 2014 ELECO and elected an initial 3-Member ELECO to come up with the modalities and guideline to conduct a free and credible election in line with the INC Constitution. NEC had in letter dated August 3, 2021, formally recognized the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of North America & Europe Chapters, extended the tenure of the Interim Exco for another 6 months, charged the IMC to continue with the membership registration to meet the minimum Chapter requirement of 50-members and to also work with ELECO to conduct election of new Exco Members not later than February 1, 2022.

The General Assembly and EXCO of North America Chapter appointed the following ELECO Members conduct election:

1. Bishop Samson Amajene – Chairman
2. Elder David Solomon – Secretary

iii. Comrade Preye Nikade – Treasurer.

Later, on two  2) more members were elected following the failure of the Sunny Engi group to join the 3-member ELECO appointed by Congress. The additional 2-members are:

1. Mrs. Mina Kominibo – Member
2. Mrs. Timi Warikoru – Member

In a 3-part election which held on April 30th, May 7, 2022, and 14th of May 2022, registered members of the Chapter voted overwhelming to elect a new Executive for the first time since the Chapter was inaugurated in 2006 in Houston, Texas.

The New EXCO-Elect are:

1) Mr. Anga Ibiene Anga – Chairman 

2) Pastor (Mrs) Jennifer Borel – Vice Chairman

3) Prof. Chris Abili – Secretary 

4) Ronald Nkem Igbikiwubo – Assistant Secretary

5) Dr. Ibifiri Stella Fubara – Financial Secretary

6) Engr. Isaac ThankGod – Organizing Secretary

7) Mr. Zee Nagberi- Publicity Secretary

8) Treasurer – *TBD*

9) Attorney Timi Ogun – Legal Adviser

10) Mr. Amafini Ebikeme- Auditor 

11) Mrs. Nyengiebi Akamande – Ex-officio Member.

The climax of the May 7, 2022, election was the election of Mr. Kenneth Anga a former Global Manager of DHL and a long-time resident of Houston, Texas, as the first Elected Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress in North America.

However, before Mr. Anga was elected unopposed with over 30 votes, ELECO had cleared a second candidate – Sir Sterling Ayegbaemi Ellis to contest the election but he was later disqualified by ELECO (in a 4-1 vote by ELECO Members) when Sir. Ayegbaemi couldn’t provide documents to prove his residency of the US. The 4 ELECO Members voted courageously to disqualify him in order not to set a bad precedent but the ELECO Chairman – Bishop Amajene, was alone in his vote praying that Mr. Sterling be allowed to contest the election, on the grounds that the world is now a global village and INC North America can be led from anywhere in the world including Nigeria should Mr. Ellis who has since been residing in Nigeria wins the election. The other 4 members of ELECO didn’t buy into the argument of the Chairman so they voted to qualify Sir Sterling Ellis Ayegbaemi and communicated their decisions to him accordingly.  Aside the Congress Members who voted and those who didn’t meet the cut off period to be eligible to vote during the Election, some Ijaw sons and daughters were on hand to observe the process. Notable amongst the observers were – Hon (Dr.) Kingsley K. Kuku, the man of peace who initiated the “2014 Washington Peace Meeting”, Princess Rosemary Naingba-Oduone – President IWC and member of the ELECO that elected the current National Executive and Hon.Udense Eradiri – Former IYC President.

By the rightful and courageous decision of the ELECO Members, the stage was set for Mr. Kenneth Ibiene Anga to coast home to victory in a rancor free and peaceful atmosphere for the first time in the history of the Chapter. During the manifesto presentation followed by questions and answer, the Chairman promised to continue with the good works by the out-gong exco. He also promised to reach out to sister Ijaw organizations for collaboration and to make INC regain her place as the apex body of all Ijaw organizations.

Following the conclusion of the elections on May 14, 2022 with the only remaining office to be elected being Treasurer; the elected EXCO were immediately sworn in by Barr. Kemasoude Wodu (SAN) who also administered the oath of Office on the EXCO.  Also present to observe the election and swearing-in of the new EXCO were. Engr. Ebipamowei Wodu – INC General Secretary, Engr Fenibo Onengiyefori- National Organizing Secretary and High Chief Amagbe Denzil Kentebe.

In his acceptance speech the new Chairman – Mr. Kenneth Ibiene Anga said

“To the best of our ability, we shall protect and propagate the interests of-the Ijaw nation in North America and beyond “

We shall take this opportunity to inform anybody listening that Ijaw people are the 4th largest ethnic nationality in Nigeria, that Nigeria is the most populous nation in Africa and that Ijaw people play host to 80% of Nigeria’s revenue and resources. We will embark on constructive collaboration with all relevant stakeholders in addition to our brother and sister Ijaw organizations across North America and beyond as we strive for unity and progress ,There is more than enough work for INC Americas. We should all work together and close ranks weather as an elected official or not to achieve our goals and objectives

We thank INC worldwide and the notable personalities through whose efforts, commitment and counsel we have reached this point. We also thanked the outgoing Interim Executive Committee and the Chairman Mrs. Nyengiebi Akamande”

INC North America Chapter members having recorded this huge milestone since inception and with so much excitement and enthusiasm in the air, all eyes will be on the Mr. Kenneth Ibiene Anga led EXCO to improve on the remarkable achievements by the out-gone EXCO led by Mrs. Nyengiebi Akamande.

It is our hope and prayers that the dark days for INC in North America is finally over. We look forward to a robust INC where issues affecting the Ijaw Nation will take the center stage instead of bitterness and rancor which affected the smooth running of the organization for close to two (2) decades.

Amaopusenibo Shedrack Fubara is an Oil & Gas Controller and a Member of INC North America Chapter.