Ijaw elders withdraw recognition of INC leadership
The Ijaw Elders Forum (IEF) has withdrawn its recognition of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and its current leadership, citing a prolonged constitutional crisis that it said had undermined the organisation’s legitimacy and capacity to represent the Ijaw people.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the forum said it would resume its advocacy role and fill the leadership vacuum created by the crisis until constitutional order was restored within the apex Ijaw socio-cultural organisation.
Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa
The Ijaw Elders Forum (IEF) has withdrawn its recognition of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and its current leadership, citing a prolonged constitutional crisis that it said had undermined the organisation’s legitimacy and capacity to represent the Ijaw people.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the forum said it would resume its advocacy role and fill the leadership vacuum created by the crisis until constitutional order was restored within the apex Ijaw socio-cultural organisation.
The statement was signed by the Chairman of IEF Lagos, Chief Bukazi Etete Efiye Bribena, and the forum’s secretary.
The IEF accused the INC leadership of persistently failing to comply with and faithfully implement the provisions of the organisation’s constitution, despite repeated appeals by stakeholders for reforms, due process and constitutional compliance.
According to the forum, adherence to constitutional provisions remains the foundation of institutional legitimacy and credible representation.
“No organisation can legitimately claim to represent a people while disregarding the constitutional framework from which it derives its authority,” the statement said.
“It is our considered position that the persistent failure of the leadership of the INC to comply with and faithfully implement the provisions of its constitution has precipitated a profound crisis of legitimacy and confidence.”
The forum said the failure to address the concerns raised by stakeholders had significantly weakened confidence in the INC’s ability to defend the political, economic, environmental, developmental and cultural interests of the Ijaw people.
“Accordingly, the Ijaw Elders Forum hereby formally dissociates itself from the INC worldwide and the prevailing leadership and constitutional crisis within the Ijaw National Congress,” it stated.
The elders said the INC, in its present state, lacked the constitutional certainty, institutional coherence and moral authority required to effectively represent the Ijaw nation.
The IEF, however, reaffirmed its commitment to promoting and protecting the collective interests of the Ijaw people while the constitutional impasse persists.
It said it would resume the advocacy role it played between 2015 and 2021, when the INC was weakened by internal divisions and leadership disputes.
“Until all constitutional issues affecting the status, governance and legitimacy of the INC are conclusively resolved and constitutional order is restored, the IEF shall again fill the resulting vacuum in the advancement of Ijaw collective interests,” the statement said.
The forum recalled that its previous intervention contributed to the emergence of the Pan-Ijaw Assembly and the eventual revival of the INC through the collaborative efforts of Ijaw institutions and leaders.
The IEF expressed optimism that the restoration of constitutional order, institutional integrity, purposeful representation and collective responsibility would strengthen the unity, progress and prosperity of the Ijaw nation.
The INC has been embroiled in a prolonged leadership crisis arising from disagreements over the interpretation and implementation of its constitution, particularly on tenure, succession and the conduct of elections.
The dispute has produced rival leadership claims, legal challenges and repeated calls by elders and other stakeholders for constitutional compliance, internal reforms and reconciliation.
The IEF’s latest position is expected to increase pressure on the INC to resolve the impasse, amid concerns that the prolonged crisis could weaken the organisation’s ability to effectively represent the collective interests of the Ijaw people.
