A crisis broke out in the Ijaw National Congress (INC) over disagreements surrounding its leadership election. To calm tensions and preserve unity, the Council of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE), led by HRM Bubaraye Dakolo, suspended the elections earlier scheduled for March and April 2026.

Despite the directive from traditional rulers, outgoing INC President Benjamin Okaba went ahead with the April 13, 2026 election, ignoring calls for more consultations before the process.

The election was conducted by Okaba led electoral committee and resulted in Macdonald Igbadiwei emerging as the INC president-elect. However, the process quickly became controversial because it went ahead despite opposition and a suspension order from CITRE.

In response, CITRE rejected the exercise and declared the election null and void. The council said it neither approved nor knew about the election held at Ijaw House, stressing that the process lacked the backing of the traditional institution.

The person of Macdonald Igbadiwei if become the INC President will be a course and shame to ijaw nation, reason been that, Igbadiwei who is a fight hand man of Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo can not protect ijaw nation in the face of danger and unite ijaw nation because he does not have the capacity and the will power.

Igbadiwei watch in silent how Tompolo sent Bodmas Kemepadei to kidnapped his fellow kinsman and brother Balamene Karowei who was taken to Oporoza in Gbaramatu Kingdom and locked in Tompolo’s private prison going 2 years now.

Igbadiwei has never spoken about or ask Tompolo to release Balamene Karowei to meet with family rather he remains silent in the midst of this injustice done to his brother from Gbaraun kingdom. Meanwhile Macdonald Igbadiwei continue to dine and wine with Tompolo in Oporoza as if nothing happened.

Macdonald Igbadiwei has never cared how the wife, the children and the aged mother of Balamene Karowei are surviving. Such a person like Igbadiwei can not lead ijaw nation, rather he will turn the INC into Tompolo's private business. 

The kangaroo election carried out by Professor Okaba that gave Igbadiwei victory should not be recognized or sworn in after the expiration of Okaba term that ends after May 14th 2026.

The CITRE should take over and conduct a credible election where only  well meaning Elders should be part of election process that can run the activities of ijaw nation and be voted for and not one Igbadiwei who is a puppet to Tompolo that will hand over ijaw nation into darkness. 

Ijaw nation should know that Tompolo has committed an abomination against ijaw land by running a private prison where he kidnapped, locked up and kill ijaw youths, Tompolo is responsible for the disappearance of Balamene Karowei and Charles Korubo all from Bayelsa State.

With the information gathered, Balamene Karowei was chained in both legs and hands and tortured seriously until he died, while Charles Korubo was used for sacrifices  by Tompolo in Oporoza.

I wonder why the Governor of Bayelsa State is still romancing with someone like Tompolo who has caused pains to the families of the victims. The likes of Tompolo is supposed to be tied and thrown into prison to face his crimes and not giving him access into the government house.

Bayelsans and ijaw nation should be very watchful, on the 14th of May 2026, the Okaba led government should not be allowed to swear in any INC President but rather it's for the CITRE to take over as an interim util credible election is conducted to usher in the right candidate to be President of the INC.