- The Intrigues, Undercurrents
Even though the next election of officials for the leadership of the Ijaw National Congress, INC, is scheduled to hold in February 2026, those aspiring to contest have started serious underground moves.
This is even as some state governors and top security agencies are beginning to show interest in who emerges president of the influential Ijaw pressure group.
The presidential seat has been zoned to the central, which comprises Bayelsa and five per cent of communities in Rivers State-mainly the Engeni and Mbiama axis.
One of the persons that showed early signs of interest in the presidential seat is Alabo Nengi James. He has been everywhere on social media, showcasing himself and visiting all those he believes can be of help.
James, a former youth activist, is currently the vice president, central zone. The congress provides seats for three vice presidents for the three zones-western(Ijaws in Delta, Edo and part of Akwa Ibom), central(Bayelsa and part of Rivers), and eastern zone (fiver per cent of Akwa Ibom and 95 per cent of Rivers.
Apart from James, Elder Timi Kaiser-Wilhelm Ogoriba has also indicated interest to contest. He has also started consultations in his effort to get acceptability and endorsements.
TNN learnt that Ebipamowei Wodu, the current national secretary as well as Chief Denzil Amaegbe and Charles Ambaowei are equally interested in the seat.
It was gathered that security agencies in the country are already showing interest in who takes the seat. TNN gathered that one of the agencies is even pushing one aspirant to grab the position, apparently to ensure that the INC would remain in the pocket of the federal government.
But another source confided in TNN that every effort would be made by Ijaw leaders to ensure that no stooge is planted as INC president. One prominent Ijaw leader told TNN that “various interests are beginning to show up.
“Some people are being sponsored by (he names the security agency). They have infiltrated our ethnic nationality and they believe that they can sponsor some people to emerge as our leaders.
“I can tell you that those of us who have been in the struggle from day one, will not sit and watch them as they execute their evil agenda against the Ijaw nation. As they are working, we are watching. We are also working.
“Anybody with external support will not go near any of the seats. We are aware that they are trying to plant people in the INC exco. But believe me, we will disappoint them. We are already profiling all those who have indicated interest. Just watch and keep your ears on the ground.”
Another Ijaw leader told TNN that prominent Ijaw leaders and elders are already shopping for the right person to lead the congress and would not allow anybody to be imposed on the Ijaw people.
Meanwhile, stakeholders are already shopping for the person that will drive the election processes. Some prominent Ijaw stakeholders are already being approached to take up the assignment.
