The Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) has commenced preparations for its forthcoming national leadership elections, fixing the exercise for February and constituting an Electoral Committee to oversee the process.
Mr. Francis Abai of PENGlobal was appointed Chairman of the Electoral Committee, while Mr. Cletus Opukeme of Daily Watch will serve as Secretary. Mr. Joseph Kanjo of Info Daily is also a member of the committee.
In a related development, the Forum also set up a Constitution Review Committee, with Mr. Tare Magbei of Daily Report Nigeria as Chairman, Mr. Ezekiel Kagbala of Focal Point as Secretary and Mr. Abai as a member.
The constitution of the committees, according to the Forum, is aimed at ensuring a smooth transition, strengthening internal democratic processes and enhancing institutional accountability.
Meanwhile, the current National Executive Council (NEC), led by Comrade Ozobo Austin, is expected to complete its tenure and hand over on February 29, 2026.
The resolutions were reached at a Congress meeting of the Forum held on January 15, 2026, at the Africa for Peace Games Village, under the supervision of one of its patrons, Chief Sheriff Mulade, PhD.
A statement issued after the meeting urged members interested in contesting for elective offices to obtain nomination forms from the Chairman of the Electoral Committee from Monday, January 19, 2026. It added that completed forms must be returned on or before January 25, 2026.
The Forum noted that details of the election date and other modalities would be communicated to members in due course.
