The Interim Steering Committee of the Ijaw National Congress, (INC) wishes to express great regret at the act of invasion of the Ijaw House, Yenagoa in the evening of Saturday, 29th June, 2019 by some hoodlums. This led to the disruption of the vote counting and collation processes of the Elective Convention of the INC which was smoothly ongoing at the time.

That such a sacrilegious act could be carried out in the sanctity of our Ijaw House, Yenagoa and in the presence of some of the members of the highly respected Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE) as well as members of INC Interim Steering Committee and the Electoral Committee (ELECO) of this our flagship organization is totally condemnable. Indeed, this is unacceptable.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Interim Steering Committee wishes to recall that counting of votes after very peaceful and orderly elections held in the open, was almost concluded. As a matter of fact,  the outcome of  majority of the positions had already been declared awaiting counting of the ballots for the offices of National Secretary, Vice President (East), Vice President (Central) and President of Congress, when this act of cowardice occurred.  Arising from this development, the Interim Steering Committee has since brought the matter to the attention of the respective Security and Law Enforcement authorities for urgent but thorough investigations. This is, with a view to bringing  the masterminds  and immediate perpetrators to book.  The Interim Steering Committee, therefore, wishes to enjoin all Ijaw sons and daughters, in our various communities, in the rest of Nigeria and around the world, to remain calm as the matter is being fully dealt with.

An emergency  meeting of CITRE is also expected to hold soon to discuss the matter, including reviews of results of investigation so far and charting a way forward. We want to urge, that this unfortunate attempt by few unscrupulous elements, who will stop at nothing to bring dishonor to our Ijaw pride and identity, must not be allowed, in any manner whatsoever, to dampen our common resolve to reunite and rebuild the INC. It is hoped, that very soon this process will be completed and a properly elected INC leadership will be put in place.

Thank you very much.

Issued in Yenagoa, today, Sunday, 30th June 2019.

Signed

Amb. Godknows Boladei Igali, PhD, OON  – Acting Chairman, Interim Steering Committee.

DIG. Michael Zuokumor (Rtd)  – Secretary, Interim Steering Committee