Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE) Calls on Ijaws to Rally For INC Election

Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, Mbiama-Yenagoa Road, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State
PRESS RELEASE
A meeting of the Conference of I jaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE) held on Tuesday 16th March, 2021 at the King Frederick William Koko Hall in the Secretariat of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, Yenagoa.
In attendance were many Ijaw traditional rulers who are heads of the different Ijaw clans / kingdoms, other first class traditional rulers, selected elders, opinion leaders and leaders of thought, past presidents of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), members of the Committee on Ijaw National Congress (INC) litigations and members of the defunct Steering Committee.
The meeting which was chaired by HRM King Alfred Diette-Spiff, Amayanabo of Twon-Brass, and Chairman, Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers. He was supported by HRM Pere Kalanama VIII (JP), HE Alabo (Sir) G.T.G Toby, Chief E.K. Clark (represented by Ambassador Boladei Igali), General John Yeri (rtd), and HRM King Malla Sasime.
In his opening remarks, HRM King Alfred Diette-Spiff charged:
I. Participants to remain committed to the unity, progress and development of the Ijaw nation.
II. Participants should be sincere and put the interest of the Ijaw nation above any other interests in their deliberations.
The meeting thereafter received the report of the Committee on Ijaw National Congress (INC) Litigations charged with the responsibility of resolving all litigations involving the Ijaw National Congress (INC). The Committee is headed by HRM Justice Francis Tabai (rtd). Participants deliberated on the report, and following the recommendations of the Committee resolved as follows:
a) That the elections of June 29, 2019 into the National Executive Council of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) be discounted in its entirety. However, any of the contestants in June 2019 elections that wishes to re-contest can do so without paying for the fees for the collection of forms.
b) That fresh election should be conducted for all offices of the National Executive Council of the Ijaw National Congress (INC).
c) That a new Electoral Committee should be constituted to conduct elections into all offices of the National Executive Council of the Ijaw National Congress (INC).
d) An 11-member National Electoral Committee with HRH Professor Dagogo M.J. Fubara as Chairman was constituted and inaugurated for the purpose of organizing a convention / elections of the Ijaw National Congress (INC). The Electoral Committee also has Professor Samuel Edonmiekumor as Secretary. Other members include Engineer Henry Domo-Spiff, Mrs Rosemary Naingba Oduone, Dr Igoniwari I. Green, Hon Mrs Daba Boyle, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, Chief Jacob Amalaya Otuawaji, Hon Prince Okpanbeni Johnny, Chief Robinson Ogunkoro, and Princess Adesola Ebiseni.
e) The Electoral Committee was given six (6) weeks to conclude its assignment.
CONCLUSION
CITRE calls on all Ijaws to continue to support the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and participate fully in the forthcoming electoral processes. CITRE also expressed gratitude to the Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri for the support made towards the successful hosting of the CITRE meeting.
Issued in Yenagoa on Wednesday 17th March, 2021.
Signed for and on behalf of CITRE:
HRM King Alfred Diette-Spiff
Amayanabo of Twon-Brass, and Chairman, Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers