Court Halts Ijaw National Congress Elections Over Disqualification

The Rivers State High Court, presided over by Justice S.H. Aprioku, issued an interim order on March 7, 2026, to halt the elections of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) due to allegations regarding the disqualification of candidates.

The suit, filed by High Chief Barr Macdonald Igbadiwei, who is a member of the INC and the claimant, challenges the electoral committee's decision to exclude certain candidates from the election list. The court ordered the electoral committee to refrain from conducting the elections until the dispute is resolved, directing the parties involved to settle their internal issues within seven days.

If unresolved, the case will proceed in court with a hearing scheduled for March 18, 2026. Igbadiwei claimed he had fulfilled all requirements to contest for the presidency of the INC, including submitting a nomination form and receiving endorsements from members.

However, he alleged that he was informed of plans to exclude him from the electoral process without proper justification.