John Ovie, YENAGOA
A High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has reserved judgement in a suit seeking nullification of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) National Executive Council (NEC) election conducted on April 13th at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
One of the INC election presidential candidate, Rear Admiral Geofrey Yanga (rtd) had been in court, challenging the eligibility of another presidential candidate, McDonald Igbadiwei.
On April 3rd, 2026, the court sat and adjourned to April 28th, 2026 for further hearing.
When the court resumed sitting on April 28th, Counsel to the plaintiff, Barr. Stanley Damabidei told the court that the INC had conducted election on April 13th, therefore praying the presiding Judge, Justice Iniekenimi Uzaka to nullify the election.
Damabidei argued that the election should be nullified because it was conducted when there was an existing case challenging the electoral process, while Barr. Ebibenabo Okorodas, counsel to the INC president, Prof. Benjamin Okaba who is the first defendant, posited that the court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the suit.
After both parties had presented their arguments, the court went on a 30-minute break.
Upon resumption, Justice Uzaka adjourned sitting till May 7th for ruling.
