A coalition of women within the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has called for immediate institutional reforms and the strict adherence to due process following a leadership crisis that has threatened to fracture the apex socio-cultural organization of the Ijaw people. In a strongly worded communiqué issued after an emergency stakeholders’ meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Monday, April 13, 2026, the women leaders expressed deep concern over the “unconstitutional maneuvers” and “lack of transparency” characterizing recent administrative decisions. The group, led by the National Woman Leader of the Ijaw National Congress, Chief (Mrs.) Rita-Akpan Ibiba, argued that the ongoing internal friction undermines the collective bargaining power of the Ijaw ethnic nationality and risks alienating the female constituency, which has historically been the backbone of regional stability.
The crisis within the Ijaw National Congress reportedly centers on disputes over the tenure of certain executive members and the alleged “non-consultative” approach to the group’s engagement with the Federal Government on environmental remediation in the Niger Delta. The women demanded that the President of the Ijaw National Congress, Professor Benjamin Okaba, immediately convene an all-inclusive National Executive Council meeting to address these grievances and restore the “foundational principles of equity and justice” upon which the organization was built. They maintained that any attempt to bypass the established electoral guidelines or the constitutional requirements for decision-making would be met with stiff resistance from the women’s wing, which is currently mobilizing for a “transparency march” across the Ijaw-speaking states.
In a swift reaction to the women’s demands, the leadership of the Ijaw National Congress issued a statement urging for calm and internal cohesion. Professor Benjamin Okaba noted that while he respects the right of the women to demand accountability, many of the allegations of “unconstitutionality” are based on misconceptions of the ongoing administrative reforms. He argued that the current leadership is working under intense pressure to navigate complex political negotiations and that a unified front is essential to achieving the “Ijaw Agenda.” However, the women’s coalition has rejected this explanation, insisting that “unity cannot be built on a foundation of opacity.” They have called for the immediate publication of the organization’s recent financial audits and the minutes of the last three executive meetings to prove that due process was indeed followed.
Sociological and regional analysts observe that the involvement of women as the “moral voice” in the Ijaw National Congress crisis indicates a significant shift in the internal politics of the Niger Delta. Experts argue that socio-cultural organizations in the region have often struggled with “personalized leadership,” where the interests of a few high-ranking individuals overshadow the collective goal. They suggest that the women’s demand for accountability is a necessary “self-correction mechanism” that could prevent the organization from devolving into irrelevance. Analysts maintain that the Ijaw National Congress remains a critical platform for mediating regional conflicts, and its internal stability is vital for the continued peaceful engagement between the oil-producing communities and the state.
The broader implications of this crisis point toward a potential democratization of the Ijaw National Congress, where the marginalized segments including women and youth are beginning to demand a “seat at the table.” By insisting on due process, the women leaders are challenging the patriarchal structures that have long dominated ethnic leadership in Nigeria. The outcome of this dispute will likely determine the level of trust the Ijaw people place in the congress as their primary representative body ahead of the 2027 general elections. As the various factions within the organization continue to deliberate, the focus remains on whether the leadership will embrace these calls for reform or continue on a path that could lead to a permanent split. For the women of the Ijaw nation, the goal is a congress that is as transparent and accountable as it is influential.
