The Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF), has urged aggrieved members and aspirants in the forthcoming Ijaw National Congress (INC) 2026 elective convention to resolve their differences through internal mechanisms rather than resorting to litigation.
The forum described as the intellectual arm of the Ijaw struggle, stressed that the collective interest and unity of the Ijaw nation must remain paramount.
In a statement issued on Monday in Warri, Delta State, and signed by its President, Senior Comrade Ozobo Austin, the IPF expressed concern over what it described as the growing trend of court actions involving the apex Ijaw socio-cultural organisation.
According to the group, the frequent resort to litigation portrays the INC in a negative light, particularly for an organisation expected to promote unity, provide leadership direction and foster selfless service among the Ijaw people.
The IPF’s reaction followed a recent ruling by a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt which halted the scheduled national election of the INC earlier slated for March 7.
The court order was issued by Justice S. H. Aprioku of High Court No. 8, Port Harcourt, in Suit No. PHC/719/CS/2026, granting an interim injunction restraining the organisation and its electoral committee from conducting the election.
The suit was filed by Macdonald Igbadiwei, an aspirant for the position of National President of the INC, who alleged that the leadership of the electoral committee was attempting to exclude him from participating in the election.
Igbadiwei subsequently dragged the Chairman and members of the INC Electoral Committee, as well as the INC itself, to court over what he described as an alleged plot to prevent him from contesting in the election.
Reacting to the development, the IPF called on all aggrieved parties to embrace dialogue and utilise the organisation’s internal conflict resolution mechanisms to address their grievances.
The forum maintained that resolving disputes internally would help preserve the integrity of the INC, strengthen unity within the body and safeguard the broader interests of the Ijaw nation.
It further noted that as the umbrella organisation representing the Ijaw people, the INC must remain focused on advancing the socio-political and economic aspirations of the region rather than being distracted by internal disputes.
The IPF therefore appealed to stakeholders and leaders of the organisation to prioritise reconciliation, unity and peaceful resolution of disagreements in order to strengthen the congress and protect the collective interest of the Ijaw nation.
