Civil Society Groups Petition ICPC, INEC Against Bayelsa VC

The Centre for Policy Advocacy and Leadership Development (PAACA) and another civil society organization have filed separate petitions with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against Prof. Princewill Woyinbrakemi Igbagara.

He is contesting for the Sagbama/Ekeremor federal constituency seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. The petitions, submitted on May 7, 2026, raise concerns regarding Igbagara's dual role as a lecturer at the Federal University Otuoke and his position as a special adviser to the Bayelsa State governor on science and technology.

The groups argue that holding dual positions violates public service regulations and ethical guidelines, potentially leading to conflicts of interest and misuse of public resources. PAACA's executive director, Ezenwa Nwagwu, emphasized the need for adherence to legal and ethical standards in political candidacy.