A fresh legal battle has stalled the planned inauguration of a new executive of the Ijaw National Congress following conflicting court orders over the organisation’s controversial leadership election held on April 13, 2026.
The development comes as the chairman of the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE), King Bubaraye Dakolo, directed all parties involved in the dispute to maintain the status quo in compliance with an order issued by a Yenagoa High Court.
The disputed election reportedly produced High Chief MacDonald Igbadiwei as president of the INC, with the outcome said to have received the backing of outgoing president, Prof. Ben Okaba.
However, disagreements surrounding the election outcome have triggered a series of legal actions and counter-orders, effectively halting the inauguration ceremony earlier scheduled for May 14, 2026.
Speaking during a press conference in Yenagoa, Dakolo advised members of the Igbadiwei-led executive to stay away from the inauguration pending the determination of court cases linked to the election.
According to him, only the CITRE chairman has the constitutional authority to swear in a legitimate president of the organisation.
Dakolo stated that the Yenagoa High Court had already ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending further hearing of the matter.
He warned that any attempt to proceed with the inauguration despite pending court orders could worsen tensions within the Ijaw nation.
The CITRE chairman also disclosed that he had received a separate injunction from a Warri court directing him not to interfere with the swearing-in of Igbadiwei and other elected officials, thereby creating a jurisdictional conflict.
Court documents showed that Justice Anthony Olotu of the Delta State High Court had on May 8, 2026, granted an interim injunction restraining CITRE from interfering with the inauguration of Igbadiwei and members of the National Executive Council.
In another suit before the Yenagoa High Court, Rear Admiral Geoffrey Yanga (rtd), Alabo Nengi James, and Engr. Ebipamowei Wodu were listed as claimants, while Prof. Ben Okaba, HRM Justice F.F. Tibai (rtd), and Dr. Olobo Choice Jamaica, representing members of the 2026 National Electoral Committee, were named as defendants.
Delivering ruling on the matter, Justice Amadise Michael Ekadi ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of all applications before the court.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter to May 14, 2026, for hearing of all pending applications related to the INC leadership dispute.
