A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has restrained the Ijaw National Congress (INC) from conducting its national election earlier scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2026.
Justice Henry Aprioku issued the interim injunction following a suit filed by High Chief (Barr.) Macdonald Igbadiwei, who is contesting for the position of National President of the organisation.
In the suit marked PHC/719/CS/2026, Igbadiwei challenged what he described as moves by the INC Electoral Committee to exclude him from participating in the election.
Those listed as defendants include the Chairman of the INC Electoral Committee, Francis Fedode Tabai, alongside members of the committee: Seiyefa Koroye, Dr. Olobo Choice Jamaica, Mrs. Iyoropatei Victoria Odogbo, High Chief (Hon.) Joel Wodubamo Aigbekumo, Mrs. Immaculata Love Amaseimogha, Chief Dr. Ebizimoh Okolo, Dr. Major Iteimowei, Chief Dr. Eniatorudabo A. Harrison, Chief Godwin Efang and Amaopuseniibo Shedrack Fubara.
Ruling on the application, Justice Aprioku restrained the defendants, their agents and representatives from conducting the INC national election scheduled for March 7 or on any other date pending the resolution of the dispute.
The court also directed the parties to explore the organisation’s Internal Dispute Resolution Committee and resolve the matter within seven days.
Justice Aprioku noted that if the issue is settled internally within the stipulated period, the court may abridge time for hearing the matter. However, if the dispute remains unresolved, all pending applications in the case will be heard on March 18, 2026.
In an affidavit supporting the suit, Igbadiwei told the court he is a member of the INC through the Gbaran Clan in the Central Zone of Bayelsa State and has been actively involved in the organisation since 2004.
He said he previously served as Chairman of the Apoi Clan between 2004 and 2007 and later became both caretaker and substantive chairman of the Gbaran Clan after its creation.
According to him, he purchased the INC nomination form for the position of National President at a cost of N1 million and completed the process by submitting all required documents, including nomination and endorsement forms signed by at least 30 members from the Central and Western zonal tiers of the organisation in Bayelsa State.
Igbadiwei said the electoral committee accepted his documents without raising any objections at the time of submission.
However, he later received reports that the committee had screened him out of the race and planned to proceed with the election without including his name among the candidates, prompting him to seek legal intervention.
Court Halts Ijaw National Congress Election Over Candidate Dispute
