Ijaw Women Demand Accountability and Due Process Amid INC Leadership Crisis
A coalition of Ijaw women has issued a strong call for urgent reforms within the Ijaw National Congress (INC), emphasizing the need for accountability, unity, and strict adherence to due process. This demand comes amid fresh concerns over leadership and electoral processes that have sparked a deepening institutional crisis within the apex body.
Growing Concerns Over Leadership and Elections
The Ijaw Women Rights Group has warned that recent developments within the INC signal a serious threat to the collective strength and credibility of the Ijaw nation. The group highlighted ongoing leadership problems following recent elections conducted by the Congress, which have been met with widespread public reactions describing the situation as a setback. According to the group, such concerns reflect deep unease among stakeholders and must not be ignored.
In a statement signed by Dr. Timiebi Koripamo-Agary, the group stressed that the historical strength of the Ijaw nation has always rested on unity, respect for due process, and adherence to constitutional frameworks. The statement underscored that all stakeholders, including political leaders, traditional rulers, youths, and women, share a responsibility to safeguard the integrity of the INC.
Criticism of Electoral Conduct and External Interference
The group faulted the conduct of recent elections by what it described as a discredited executive leadership of the Congress, despite earlier appeals for dialogue and compliance with due process. It labeled these developments as regrettable and unacceptable, warning that actions taken outside established procedures risk eroding public trust and weakening the collective voice of the Ijaw people.
Beyond internal issues, the group raised alarm over what it termed clear and troubling signs of external interference. It alleged that certain interests may be exploiting divisions within the body to destabilize the Ijaw nation. The statement read, We must not be naïve. Divided communities are easier to manipulate and exploit. The current trajectory shows worrying indicators of coordinated interests that do not wish the Ijaw nation to remain united and assertive.
Call for Transparency and Renewed Dialogue
The women further decried the silence from key leaders amid the unfolding crisis, warning that inaction could be interpreted as complicity. They emphasized that unity without justice and accountability would remain fragile, insisting that transparency must guide any legitimate reconciliation process.
Reaffirming their stance, the group declared that Ijaw women would not remain silent, recalling their historical role as custodians of truth and stability within the society. They called for renewed dialogue rooted in fairness, transparency, and constitutional order, alongside a conscious effort to address both internal weaknesses and external pressures.
The group demanded:
- Transparency in all processes
- Accountability from leadership
- Responsible governance to protect the dignity and future of the Ijaw nation
While urging peaceful and lawful engagement, the women warned that prolonged institutional failures could compel aggrieved stakeholders to seek alternative means of asserting their collective interests. However, they maintained that peace, justice, and the preservation of the Ijaw nation must remain paramount in all efforts to resolve the crisis.
