Ijaw Elders Forum dissociates from INC leadership, pledges intervention in crisis

The Ijaw Elders Forum (IEF) has officially distanced itself from the current leadership and global structure of the Ijaw National Congress (INC). The forum cited alleged constitutional breaches and a breakdown of internal democratic processes as reasons for its dissociation.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Chief Bukazi Etete, and Secretary, Mr. Efiye Bribena, the IEF expressed concern that the INC leadership is not adhering to the organization's constitution. The forum emphasized that no institution can legitimately claim to represent the Ijaw people while failing to follow its foundational legal framework. This failure, the IEF stated, has led to a diminished public confidence in the INC's capacity to protect the political, economic, and environmental interests of the Ijaw people.

Consequently, the IEF announced it will resume the advocacy role it previously played from 2015 to 2021, a period when internal disputes within the INC reportedly affected its operations. The forum clarified that this intervention is intended as a temporary measure to advance the collective interests of the Ijaw nation until the leadership and constitutional issues within the INC are resolved.

The IEF outlined its objectives, which include promoting transparency and accountability in Ijaw advocacy, safeguarding the constitutional, political, and resource rights of the Ijaw people, fostering regional unity, and engaging constructively with governments and other stakeholders in the Niger Delta. The forum also called upon traditional rulers, youth organizations, women's groups, professionals, and other stakeholders across the Niger Delta to support efforts aimed at restoring constitutional governance and institutional integrity within the Ijaw socio-cultural body. The INC leadership had not responded to the IEF's claims at the time of reporting.

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Until all constitutional issues affecting the status, governance and legitimacy of the INC are conclusively resolved and constitutional order is restored, the Ijaw Elders Forum shall fill the resulting vacuum in advancing the collective interests of the Ijaw people, as it did between 2015 and 2021.