By John Ovie, YENAGOA
The highest decision making body in the Ijaw ethnic nationality, Council for Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders CITRE has declared the Apri 13th national executive council election of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) as an exercise in futility.
Chairman of CITRE and chairman, Bayelsa state Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo who is also the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom made the declaration in a press conference at the secretariat of the Bayelsa state traditional rulers council in Yenagoa, the state capital.
The monarch explained that article 4D of the INC constitution clearly spells out the functions of CITRE including setting up of an electoral committee and resolving elections disputes, faulting the claim by the INC president, Prof. Benjamin Okaba that CITRE is only meant to play advisory role and settle post elections issues.
He likened the powers of CITRE in the INC to the power of the Supreme Court to the Nigerian state.
Quoting article 4D of the INC constitution, Dakolo said “the functions of CITRE shall be (A) act as an advisory body to the national executive council. (B) work for the preservation, sustenance and promotion of Ijaw cultural heritage. This is not advisory. (C) work for the peaceful coexistence of the Ijaws and their neighbours.
“(D) Appoint the members of the electoral committee on the recommendation of the national executive council. (E) settle disputes arising from elections,” explaining that election is a process starting from the appointment of electoral committee, conduct of primary election and the main election.
The first-class traditional ruler accused Okaba of undermining the statutory function of CITRE and exhibiting desperation to conduct election against its order directing the electoral committee to suspend the process due to complaints of irregularities raised by some of the candidates against the electoral body.
Dakolo hinted that Okaba had been a beneficiary of CITRE’s intervention in INC electoral disputes before he became president and wondered why he could not allow same to happen in his tenure.
He recalled that on April 4th, the aggrieved parties were in court and the court asked them to go back, meet with the reconciliation committee set up by CITRE and return to the court on April 28, stating that he was shocked to hear that an INC election was reportedly held on April 13th amidst unsettled legal issue and other pending agitations waiting for settlement by the 7-man committee constituted by CITRE.
The monarch also accused of Okaba of refusing to approve funds for CITRE meeting where critical decisions could be taken.
The King who noted that CITRE is comprised of the most elite class of the Ijaw nation, including former and serving governors, said the body had not received any report of a conducted INC election from any quarters neither will it honour such, adding that the power to inaugurate a new INC national leadership lies with CITRE.
