Ijaw rulers declare INC election invalid
The Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE) has declared that no valid election of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) was conducted on 13 April, insisting that any exercise held on that date is null and void.
Chairman of CITRE, His Royal Majesty King Bubaraye Dakolo, made this known during a press briefing on Friday, stating that the purported election contravened established procedures.
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Nathan Tamarapreye, Bayelsa
The Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE) has declared that no valid election of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) was conducted on 13 April, insisting that any exercise held on that date is null and void.
Chairman of CITRE, His Royal Majesty King Bubaraye Dakolo, made this known during a press briefing on Friday, stating that the purported election contravened established procedures.
Dakolo, who also chairs the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, said the body had earlier directed that the election be suspended pending the resolution of disputes.
According to him, the decision followed extensive consultations, including a meeting convened by the state government, where stakeholders agreed that proceeding with the election would heighten tensions.
“At the end of deliberations and consultations, the resolution was clear: there should be no INC election at this stage,” he said.
He alleged that despite the directive, some individuals went ahead with the process, describing their actions as unconstitutional and invalid. Dakolo added that CITRE was not officially notified of any rescheduled election timetable.
“As we speak, there was no election on the 13th. There is nothing before me indicating that any election was approved or communicated,” he said.
The monarch also dismissed claims that CITRE’s role is limited to post-election disputes, clarifying that the body is empowered under the INC constitution to intervene in all electoral matters.
“There is no restriction on post-election issues. Anyone suggesting otherwise is misleading the public,” he added.
Reacting to claims by individuals declaring themselves winners, Dakolo described such actions as futile and warned of possible consequences for disregarding constituted authority.
He further disclosed that a settlement committee set up by CITRE would begin sittings on Monday to address grievances and pave the way for a credible and widely accepted election.
“We will consider all issues and ensure that a credible and popular election is conducted,” he said.
