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.
The order was issued by Justice Henry Aprioku in an interim injunction in suit No. PHC/719/CS/2026, filed by High Chief (Barr.) Macdonald Igbadiwei.
Listed as defendants in the suit are the Chairman of the INC Electoral Committee, Francis Fedode Tabai, alongside members of the committee including 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.
Igbadiwei approached the court challenging what he described as a plan by the electoral committee to exclude him from contesting for the position of National President of the INC in the forthcoming election.
In his ruling, Justice Aprioku granted an interim order restraining the defendants, their agents, servants, privies, or anyone acting on their behalf from conducting the national election of the INC slated for March 7, 2026, or on any other date, pending the resolution of the dispute.
The court further directed the parties to resolve the matter through the organisation’s Internal Dispute Resolution Committee within seven days
Justice Aprioku, however, stated that if the parties successfully resolve the issue internally within the stipulated period, the court would abridge time for the hearing of the matter.
However, he noted that if the dispute remains unresolved, the case will proceed in court with all pending applications scheduled for determination on March 18, 2026.
In an affidavit filed in support of the suit, Igbadiwei told the court that 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’s activities since 2004.
He stated that 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 following its creation.
The claimant further stated that he purchased the INC nomination form for the National President position 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.
According to him, the defendants received his nomination form and accompanying documents without raising any complaint or query at the time of submission.
However, Igbadiwei alleged that he later received reports indicating that the electoral committee had screened him out of the race and was planning to proceed with the election without including his name on the list of candidates, prompting him to seek legal intervention.
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