By David Owei,Bayelsa

Barely four days the Council of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE) has on Thursday said, there is no elections into the executive council of Ijaw National Congress (INC) on Monday 13th April 2026 as been speculated in some quarters that elections was held.

CITRE being the only body that superintendents over the INC still maintained it’s action suspending the election into the executive positions of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), insisting on the guiding principles of the INC Constitution. The alleged election had procedural errors, without due process and therefore declared null and void,as there were constitutional violations marred with irregularities that were at variance with CITRE,s constitution.

Addressing press conference in his office at the state Traditional Rulers Council Secretariat in Yenagoa the state capital, Chairman of CITRE, HRM, King Bubaraye Dakolo Agada IV, Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, who is also the Chairman of Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council, on Thursday said CITRE stand on the Constitutional Process and the INC Electoral Timeline.

Speaking further said, ” no elections on the 13th of April 2026. We asked our people not to participate in that kangaroo elections and they stayed away. Maybe the outgoing president,Prof. Benjamin Okaba has a motive behind his actions,that is why he is in a hurry to conduct an elections without following due process as stipulated by INC constitution.

” The purported elections was just another efforts in futility. The seven man committee will have it inaugural meeting on Monday 20th April 2026 and at the end, we will organized a credible, peaceful and rancour Free elections.

“Until issues are settled and you withdraw your case and show evidence that you have withdrawn, then you can conduct an elections. Why would he want to deceive everybody, then there must be a motive. There is nothing wrong if he cannot conduct an elections and his time expires, CITRE can take over and manage the affairs of the Ijaw apex body until a proper elections is conducted.

” The constitution has given us power to settle disputes including elections disputes. On this matter CITRE has taken a decision and the decision is final’.

By Our Correspondent

Ahead of 2027 election the crisis in the African Democratic Congress ADC is taking a new dimension as the recently expelled factional chairman Hon.Nafiu Bala Gombe and a two term federal lawmaker Hon.Joseph Leke Abejide have denounced the recently held Abuja convention saying that the crisis is not an internal party affair but attempt to hijack the party by the coalition new entrants

The duo alongside two other party stalwarts made this known on Friday in Abuja at a media briefing where they described the recent convention of the party held in Abuja as a nullity.

The event according to the party stakeholders is to address several critical matters that are essential to the consolidation and strengthening of our bation’s democratic norms and values.

According to the
factional chairman Hon.Bala Nafiu Gombe, a few days ago, a coalition of individuals convened and purported to hold an elective convention in Abuja, despite the clear, binding, and subsisting judgment of the Court of Appeal.

He said that the exercise raises grave legal and constitutional questions as to its legitimacy and validity.

He had argeued that any action taken in flagrant disregard of the Court of Appeal’s judgment delivered on 12th March 2026 is not only of questionable legality but is liable to be declared null, void, and of no effect by the Federal High Court upon final determination of the pending suit.

Furthermore, he stated that the noticeable absence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from the convention strongly indicates that the process lacks official recognition and cannot stand judicial scrutiny as to its legitimacy.

He said: “Their conduct is not unexpected, as those individuals have a documented history of contempt for the rule of law, evidenced by the manner in which they purportedly joined the party several months ago in clear violation of the party’s Constitution.

“As far as the duly constituted and legitimate leadership of the party is concerned, the coalition group are not members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Consequently, they lack the requisite locus standi to convene or conduct any congresses or conventions, and any resolutions or decisions emanating from such gatherings are devoid of legal effect and cannot pass the test of legality”

The factional party leader who is the faction’s chairman said that it is particularly noteworthy that while they were engaged in the said unlawful assembly, their counsel was before the supreme court seeking Judicial validation of the same congresses and convention, thereby underscoring the illegitimacy of the entire exercise.

He revealed that what they have observed is that in certain quarters, there is a misconception that their court case relates to internal party affairs adding that he wish to clarify that this matter is not an internal party affairs.

He also stated that the case pending before Honourable Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja is clearly about a breach of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Constitution and an infringement of rights as a bona fide member of the party.

The matter has now escalated to a criminal dimension, involving the preparation of a false document bearing my forged signature, with the intent to damage my reputation.

Senator David Mark and his associates have relied on Section 83(5) of th Electoral Act, 2026, to avoid judicial scrutiny. However, they appear unaware that the said section contains a proviso.

He said that where a member’s rights al infringed upon or the party’s constitution is breached, the court is vest with jurisdiction to entertain and determine the suit

Also speaking with the same tone, a two term federal lawmaker Hon.Joseph Leke Abejide (Kogi,ADC) said that the recently held convention by a group of persons acting as leaders of the party is null and void

He said that the organizers of the convention the party hijackers who only came to the convention venue to steal, kill and destroy.

He further said that there is a substiting court order by a Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal that there should be no convention by the party until the matter is decided and discharged by the courts

He added that if they are progressives, they will be looking for a good avenue for the exercise instead of choosing a garden despite the existence of many monumental edifices in many parts of the nation for the convention.

By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno State have endorsed the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Musa Askira, for the Borno South Senatorial District seat ahead of the 2027 general elections, setting the stage for a potential political contest with incumbent Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume.

The endorsement followed a series of consultations across the nine local government areas in the district, amid growing calls for power rotation and equitable representation within the zone.

Speaking on behalf of the stakeholders, a prominent political figure in the area, Sule Gambo, said the move was driven by the need to restore a long-standing zoning arrangement that had been overlooked.

“It was we, the people of Askira/Uba, who initiated this arrangement. We agreed that the seat should shift to Gwoza to give them a sense of belonging,” Gambo stated.

He, however, lamented that the rotation principle had not been sustained after the tenure of the late Senator Mohammed Mahdi.

“The senatorial seat is supposed to rotate among Chibok, Damboa, Gwoza, and Askira/Uba. Unfortunately, this has not been the case for a long time,” he added.

Stakeholders described Askira’s emergence as a strategic step toward restoring political balance in the district, urging party members to unite behind his candidacy.

“By the will of God, the time has come for Askira/Uba. One of our illustrious sons, Engineer Abdullahi Askira, has shown interest, and we want to ensure the principle of rotation is upheld,” Gambo said.

Adding a gender perspective, a women leader in the area, Tafu Malla, commended Askira’s grassroots engagement and empowerment initiatives, particularly among youths and women.

“He maintains a genuine open-door policy and is always there for the poor,” she said, noting that many women have benefitted from his employment and empowerment programmes.

Also speaking, a retired Permanent Secretary and former Special Adviser from Chibok, Hawa Mai-Musa, stressed the importance of fairness in political representation.

“To be fair to the people of Chibok and Askira/Uba, it is time for a rotation. Engineer Askira is a proven leader whose track record shows he has been tested,” she said.

Highlighting the role of women in elections, she added, “Women carry the bulk of the votes in Borno—at least 70 per cent. If we stand with him, he will surely succeed.”

From the Uba Emirate, Adamu Jafiya emphasized the need for development-focused representation, noting that the district requires leadership capable of attracting federal presence.

“While others are bringing federal projects to their zones, we are busy with political wars. We need Engr. Askira to bring his professional and legislative experience to the Senate,” he said.

The agitation for the proposed “Savannah State” has also emerged as a key campaign issue, with supporters noting that Askira’s advocacy has strengthened his political profile within the district.

However, political analysts say the influence of Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume remains significant, given his long-standing presence in the National Assembly and deep-rooted political network.

Despite this, the coordinated endorsement of Askira signals a growing momentum within the APC to reshape the political dynamics of Borno South ahead of the 2027 elections.

For now, the Deputy Speaker is yet to make a formal declaration, as his camp awaits further direction from the party leadership.