The apex sociocultural organisation of the Ijaw Nation Worldwide, the Ijaw National Congress (INC), through its National 2026 Electoral Committee (N-ELECO), has officially announced and released the timetable for its forthcoming national elections scheduled for March 2026 to elect qualified candidates into different positions in the Congress.

This is contained in a press statement signed by the Chairman of N-ELECO, HRM Justice F. F. Tabai; Secretary, Dr. Olobo Choice Jamaica, and Chairman of the Planning and Publicity Sub-Committee, Amaopusenibo Shedrack Fubara.

The electoral committee called on Ijaw sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora to actively participate in the process, describing the election as a crucial step toward shaping the future leadership and direction of the Ijaw Nation.

According to the schedule of the election process, collection of nomination forms will commence on January 12 and end on January 26, 2026, while campaigns will run from January 12 to March 6, 2026. All completed nomination forms are expected to be returned on or before February 10, 2026.

Submission of national convention delegate lists will take place at Ijaw House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on February 14, 2026, with claims and objections scheduled for February 16 to 18, while the final delegate lists will be published between February 20 and 21, 2026, also at Ijaw House.

Screening of candidates is slated for February 19 to 21, 2026, while a test run of the INC e-voting system will be conducted on March 3 and 4, 2026, with the election proper scheduled for March 7, 2026, at Ijaw House.

Ahead of the polls, a non-elective convention featuring the presentation of manifestos by cleared candidates will hold on March 6, 2026, by 4:00pm in Yenagoa, while the announcement of election results will follow on election day.

The INC N-ELECO reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, fairness, and credibility in the conduct of the election, urging members to uphold the values of unity and integrity throughout the process.

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