By Adesina Wahab

Rear Admiral Geoffrey Yanga (rtd.) has thrown his hat into the ring for the Ijaw National Congress (INC) presidency, submitting his nomination for the 2026 national elections.

He’s a prominent figure in the Ijaw struggle, known for his activism even while serving as a naval officer. His campaign promises unity and visionary leadership, focusing on devolution of powers, security, and socio-economic wellbeing of the Ijaw nation.

Other contenders include Alabo Nengi James, Engr. Ebi Wodu, Prof. Erepamo Osaisai, and Elder Timi Ogoriba.

Known for his commitment to socio economic development of the Ijaw nation, stakeholders believe that Yanga’s emergence could bring long-awaited unity among the Ijaw people. Leveraging his seasoned naval background, he pledged to move beyond agitation toward a strategy of sustainable, holistic development. He aims to deliver this through purposeful leadership, intellectual engagement, and diplomatic policy articulation.

As a veteran leader within the INC and PANDEF, Yanga intimately understands the challenges facing the Ijaw nation. His 35-year legacy of meritorious service—including a pivotal role in the creation of Bayelsa State—places him at a strategic vantage point to actualize the vision of the founding fathers.
​The creation of Bayelsa State in 1996 was indeed a watershed moment for the Ijaw people—often referred to as the Zion of the Ijaw nation—providing a political and administrative nucleus that hadn’t existed before.
​​The INC President serves as the chief advocate for Ijaw interests across Nigeria and the Diaspora. Linking a candidate like Yanga to the legacy of state creation confirms a platform has been built already. He understands that the Ijaw struggle did not end with the creation of one state; it evolved. He represents the bridge between the pioneers of the ’90s and the visionaries of the 21st century.
The next level is ​moving from partial unification to a more robust, collective bargaining power within the Nigerian federation. Achieving ​socio-economic integration can only be made possible by ensuring that the geographical spread of Ijaw clans-from Akwa Ibom to Ondo -feels the impact of a unified leadership. This objective requires transitioning from symbolic unity to tangible developments in resource control, environmental justice, and political representation.
This exactly is the energy Yanga is bringing to the INC as a candidate aspiring to lead. Thus, his leadership style won’t be easily ignored on the national stage.
​Currently, the general sentiment among Ijaw people about INC’s progress seems mixed. Some stakeholders are urging aspirants to focus on development, while others are calling for a shift from the Ijaw struggle to an Ijaw development agenda. Beyond that, the INC has gained provisional membership in the United Nations Unrepresented Peoples Organisation (UNPO), which provides a platform for international advocacy. However, some people feel that the organization needs to do more to address the needs of the Ijaw people, particularly in terms of environmental protection, human rights, and self-determination.
Yanga’s candidacy seems to be resonating with those seeking strong, visionary leadership for the Ijaw people. The Ijaw charter’s ten leadership qualities are a great benchmark for evaluating candidates. If elected, Yanga’s experience as a Rear Admiral and his commitment to Ijaw unity could be significant assets in addressing the community’s challenges