The Chairman of the Western Zone of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Barr. Priye Noel Kuete, has appealed to Ijaw people to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding following the court injunction that halted the elective convention of the apex socio-cultural body.

The elective convention, which was scheduled to hold on March 7, 2026, at the Ijaw House, Yenagoa, in the Bayelsa State capital, was stopped by a court order following grievances raised by some stakeholders within the organization.

Barr. Kuete made the appeal while speaking with journalists in Kabowei Kingdom, Patani, Delta State, shortly after an unscheduled consultation visit to a prominent Ijaw leader, Dr. Chris Ekiyor, a former President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), and a past presidential aspirant of the INC.

According to Kuete, the suspension of the elective convention through legal means was preferable to conducting an election under a tense atmosphere that could have deepened divisions among Ijaw people.

He described the development as “divine,” noting that it prevented the conduct of elections at a time when a significant number of stakeholders were aggrieved.

“It was divine that events turned out the way they did rather than conducting INC elections when a majority of Ijaw people were already aggrieved and tensions were high,” Kuete said.

Responding to questions on whether he supported the decision of aggrieved parties to seek legal redress, the Western Zonal Chairman answered in the affirmative, stressing that going to court is the most civilized and lawful way of resolving disputes.

“As a lawyer, I strongly support going to court to seek justice. It is the most civilized way to address grievances rather than taking the law into one’s hands,” he said.

Kuete lamented that in the past, disagreements within the INC and in the broader Nigerian political environment had sometimes led to uncivilized and violent reactions, stressing that such actions must be discouraged.

He commended the leadership of the INC, particularly the National Executive Council (NEC) and the Electoral Committee (ELECO), for respecting the court injunction by refraining from conducting the elective convention.

Instead, the organization proceeded with only a non-elective convention, a decision Kuete said demonstrated the peaceful and law-abiding nature of the Ijaw people.

“Ijaw people are civilized and peace-loving and the decision of the leadership and stakeholders to obey the court order shows our commitment to peace and the rule of law,” he noted.

The Western Zonal Chairman also disclosed that the internal conflict-resolution mechanism provided in the INC constitution had been activated through the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE).

He expressed optimism that ongoing consultations among traditional rulers, elders and key stakeholders would lead to reconciliation and unity among the Ijaw people.

“We look forward to seeing a more united Ijaw nation. The reconciliation process has already begun and in no distant time, it will be concluded with everyone satisfied,” Kuete said.

He therefore urged Ijaw people, particularly those in the Western Zone, to remain calm and patient while the leadership of the organization works toward a peaceful resolution.

“My message to Ijaw people, especially from the Western Zone, is that we should remain calm and peaceful while awaiting the outcome of the reconciliation efforts by Ijaw leaders,” he added.

Members of the Western Zonal Chairman’s delegation during the visit included Hon. Vita Odi, Vice Chairman of INC Western Zone; Barr. Preye Nduku; Barr. Baratei Kegbe; Comrade Pamotei Warisuwotei, Chief of Staff to the Western Zonal Chairman; and Hon. Fred Afoegba, Chief Security Officer to the Western Zonal Chairman.

The consultations are part of ongoing efforts by leaders of the Ijaw Nation to preserve unity, stability and credible leadership within the Ijaw National Congress.

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