The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has disqualified Timi-Kaiser Ogoriba, High Chief MacDonald Igbadiwei Esq, and several other aspirants from participating in its forthcoming election, citing issues related to membership registration.
According to the INC screening committee, some of the affected aspirants are not registered members of the organization, while others have not fulfilled the minimum one-year membership requirement stipulated in the INC constitution.
The decision was reached following the conclusion of the screening exercise conducted ahead of the leadership poll. The committee was mandated to verify the eligibility of aspirants in line with constitutional provisions and electoral guidelines governing the process.
Sources within the organization confirmed that the screening committee found that certain aspirants failed to meet the basic membership criteria. Specifically, the committee noted that some individuals were either not formally registered as members of the INC or had registered less than one year prior to the election, thereby making them ineligible to contest.
Timi-Kaiser Ogoriba had earlier declared his intention to run in the election, drawing attention among stakeholders within the apex Ijaw socio-cultural body. High Chief MacDonald Igbadiwei Esq was also considered a prominent aspirant in the build-up to the poll.
The INC constitution reportedly requires that aspirants must be duly registered members of the organization and must have maintained active membership for a specified minimum period, which the screening committee identified as one year.
While the screening committee has cited non-compliance with membership requirements as the basis for disqualification, a comprehensive official statement detailing the full list of affected aspirants and specific findings has yet to be publicly released.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from Timi-Kaiser Ogoriba or High Chief MacDonald Igbadiwei Esq regarding the development. It remains unclear whether the affected aspirants intend to challenge the decision through the internal appeal mechanisms provided by the INC.
The Ijaw National Congress is the umbrella body representing the interests of the Ijaw ethnic nationality across the Niger Delta region and beyond. Its leadership elections are often closely monitored due to the organization’s influence on advocacy, regional development, and unity among Ijaw communities.
Observers note that the enforcement of membership rules may significantly shape the outcome of the forthcoming election, as the disqualification of notable aspirants could alter the competitive landscape.
Preparations for the election are ongoing, with attention now shifting to the aspirants who have been cleared by the screening committee. Further updates are expected as the electoral process continues and as the INC leadership provides additional clarification on the screening outcome.
