The disqualification of Elder TimiKaiser Ogoriba, a presidential aspirant, and Comrade Wisdom Ikuli, a publicity secretary aspirant, from the forthcoming Ijaw National Congress (INC) elections has sparked widespread concern among stakeholders within the Ijaw community.
The decision by the INC Electoral Committee (ELECO) has drawn criticism from youth leaders and organizations across the Niger Delta. Calls are now mounting for a review of the electoral process to preserve unity within the apex socio-cultural body.
Comrade Preye J. Ketebu-Brown, Vice President (Africa) of the World Assembly of Youth and a veteran Niger Delta youth leader, issued a statement on March 3, 2026, expressing deep worry over the development. He said the disqualification risks undermining the cohesion of the INC and overshadowing the achievements of its outgoing leadership.
According to Ketebu-Brown, Elder TimiKaiser Ogoriba is widely regarded as a longstanding advocate for the rights and development of the Ijaw people. He described Ogoriba as a signatory to the historic Kaiama Declaration and a co-architect of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), which was introduced to address militancy in the Niger Delta.
Ketebu-Brown also noted that Ogoriba recently played a key role in facilitating the petroleum assets protection policy. He said the policy has contributed to relative peace in the Niger Delta and helped boost Nigeria’s oil production and revenues. The youth leader emphasized that such contributions should be carefully considered in decisions affecting participation in the INC elections.
The statement indicated that the electoral committee’s decision has already triggered protests and expressions of dissatisfaction from youth leaders, organizations, and opinion shapers across the 78 clans of the Ijaw nation. These clans are spread across six states in the Niger Delta region.
Observers say the controversy comes at a sensitive time for Nigeria. The country continues to grapple with insurgency and ethnoreligious conflicts in parts of the north, placing additional pressure on national stability. Ketebu-Brown warned that internal disputes within the Ijaw leadership structure could further inflame tensions among Ijaw communities both within Nigeria and in the diaspora.
He urged the leadership of the INC to urgently review the electoral process. He called for a contest that is fair, transparent, and inclusive, allowing all qualified aspirants to participate without bias.
The INC serves as the foremost socio-cultural organization representing the interests of the Ijaw people. Its leadership elections are considered significant events that shape advocacy and engagement with federal and state authorities on issues affecting the Niger Delta.
Ketebu-Brown stressed that maintaining credible democratic processes within the INC is particularly important at this time. He referenced the Ijaw nation’s recent provisional membership in the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO), an international body that advocates for marginalized and unrepresented communities worldwide.
He said the Ijaw nation’s democratic credentials must remain intact before the global community. Any perception of exclusion or unfairness, he warned, could weaken the moral authority of the organization at a time when international recognition is growing.
The youth leader also called on Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State and other prominent Ijaw statesmen to intervene. He appealed for swift action to prevent the situation from escalating into a broader crisis.
According to him, leaders across generations must act decisively to safeguard the unity of the Ijaw people. He emphasized that the sacrifices of past heroes and activists should not be undermined by internal disputes.
The statement concluded with a reminder that the strength of the Ijaw nation lies in its collective resolve and shared vision for progress. Ketebu-Brown urged all parties involved to prioritize dialogue and reconciliation in order to preserve stability within the INC.
As reactions continue to emerge from various quarters, attention is now focused on the INC leadership and electoral committee. Stakeholders are watching closely to see whether steps will be taken to address the concerns raised and ensure confidence in the electoral process.
