…court directs parties to resolve the dispute internally

By Davies Iheamnachor, PORT HARCOURT

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has restrained the Ijaw National Congress, INC, from going on with its national election slated for Saturday, March 7.

The presiding judge, Justice S. H. Aprioku, gave the order in an Interim Injunction, suit No. PHC/719/CS/2026, filed by High Chief (Barr.) Macdonald Igbadiwei.

The defendants in the suit are, Francis Fedode Tabai, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court who chairs the electoral committee, HRM King Dr. 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 sued the Chairman and members of the INC Electoral Committee, as well as the INC itself over what he described as a plot to exclude him from contesting for the position of National President in the forthcoming elections.

However, the court granted the interim order of injunction and restrained the defendants, their agents, servants, privies or anyone acting on their behalf from conducting the national elections of the INC scheduled for March 7, 2026, or any other date, pending the resolution of the dispute.

Aprioku directed the parties to resolve the dispute through the organisation’s Internal Dispute Resolution Committee within seven days, adding that if the parties succeed in resolving the dispute internally, the court would abridge time for hearing of the matter.

He noted that if the dispute is not resolved within the stipulated period, the case would proceed in court and all pending applications will be determined on March 18, 2026.

Meanwhile, in an affidavit filed in support of the suit, Igbadiwei, stated 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 had previously served as Chairman of the Apoi Clan between 2004 and 2007, later becoming the caretaker and subsequently substantive Chairman of the Gbaran Clan when it was created.

The claimant told the court that he purchased the INC nomination form for the position at the cost of N1 million and duly completed and submitted it along with all required documents, including nomination and endorsement forms signed by at least 30 members of the Central and Western Zonal tiers of the organisation in Bayelsa State.

He stated that the defendants received his completed nomination form and accompanying documents without raising any complaint or query.

However, Igbadiwei alleged that he later received reports 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.