The Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) National Electoral Committee (N-ELECO), HRH Justice F. F. Tabai (retd), has assured stakeholders in the Ijaw Nation that the forthcoming March 7, 2026 election process to elect a new set of leadership for the apex Ijaw socio-cultural organisation will be credible and transparent.

The Chairman of the N-ELECO gave the assurance in a press statement made available to journalists, late Friday (February 20, 2026), while reacting to concerns raised by some stakeholders who fear that the forthcoming election might have been compromised

The election, which is scheduled to take place next month, has begun to generate mixed feelings as a few aspirants are expressing fear over the possible outcome of the election.

In giving reassurance Tabai said, “The INC’s 2026 national elections will hold as scheduled, it will be transparent enough, credible, fair to all, and I am calling for a broad participation among Ijaw members, no need to exercise fear.

"The process is designed to promote transparency, fairness, and broad participation among Ijaw sons and daughters nationwide.

"The elections are positioned as a major step toward strengthening internal leadership and unity across the organisation," the statement reads 

Six aspirants are contesting for the presidency of the apex Ijaw socio-cultural body: Professor Erepamo Franklin Osaisai, Rear Admiral Geoffrey Yanga (retd), Nengi James, Ebi Wodu, Kaiser Timi Ogoriba, and Macdonald Igbadiwei.

Meanwhile, stakeholders say the credibility of the election process, which is scheduled to hold March 7, 2026, in Ijaw House along Sani Abacha Expressway in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, will be closely watched. 

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