‘We will not be silent’ — Ijaw women reject controversial INC poll
Women from the Ijaw Nation have strongly condemned what they described as a flawed and imposed election within the Ijaw National Congress (INC), calling for unity, accountability, and urgent steps to restore trust and integrity.
In a solidarity statement issued on behalf of Ijaw women, the Ijaw Women Right Group declared, “What transpired yesterday is a painful betrayal of our collective dignity,” adding that “the conduct of a sham election, imposed in defiance of dialogue, due process, and respected authority, is not just a political misstep, it is a direct insult to the soul of the Ijaw Nation.”
The statement, signed by Dr Timiebi Koripamo-Agary, emphasised that the development threatens the unity and future of the Ijaw people. “But when the foundation of our future is threatened, when the unity of our people is endangered, and when leadership fails to uphold honour and integrity; we must speak. And we must act,” the women said.
They expressed concern over the current leadership of the INC, alleging a departure from its foundational values. “We are deeply concerned that the Ijaw National Congress (INC), under its current leadership, has deviated from the values that once commanded respect and pride among our people,” the statement read.
The group specifically referenced actions linked to Prof. Benjamin Okaba and the INC Electoral Committee Chairman, Justice F. F. Tabai (JSC Rtd), noting that these had “intensified division and eroded trust.”
Calling for widespread mobilisation, the women urged collective action across all segments of Ijaw society. “We call on all Ijaw women across communities, states, and the diaspora to rise in unity. This is not a time for silence. It is a time to stand for truth, justice, and the future of our nation,” they stated.
They also appealed to political, traditional, business, and religious leaders, as well as youth groups, to intervene and help restore credibility within the organisation. “We also call on all political, traditional, business, and religious leaders as well as youth groups, to listen to the voice of conscience and act decisively to restore integrity, credibility, and unity within the Ijaw Nation.”
The statement commended the Chairman of the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE), HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo, for his role during the crisis. The women praised his “courage and steadfast commitment to ensuring that what is right prevails over what is convenient.”
Reaffirming their stance, the group stressed their commitment to justice and accountability. “We will not watch in silence as our collective heritage is diminished. We will not accept processes that divide our people,” they said.
They concluded with a call for immediate action, declaring, “We will stand, we will speak, and we will act: together. The time to restore the Ijaw Nation is now.”
Read full statement below:
WOMEN-LED SOLIDARITY STATEMENT
IJAW WOMEN RISE: A CALL TO CONSCIENCE AND COLLECTIVE ACTION
We, the women of the Ijaw Nation: mothers, daughters, professionals, leaders, and custodians of our heritage, rise today with heavy hearts but unshaken resolve.
What transpired yesterday is a painful betrayal of our collective dignity. The conduct of a sham election, imposed in defiance of dialogue, due process, and respected authority, is not just a political misstep, it is a direct insult to the soul of the Ijaw Nation.
As women, we do not speak lightly in moments such as this. But when the foundation of our future is threatened, when the unity of our people is endangered, and when leadership fails to uphold honour and integrity; we must speak. And we must act.
We are deeply concerned that the Ijaw National Congress (INC), under its current leadership, has deviated from the values that once commanded respect and pride among our people. The actions led by Prof. Benjamin Okaba, and enabled by the INC Electoral Committee Chairman, Justice F. F. Tabai (JSC Rtd), have intensified division and eroded trust.
This is not the legacy we will pass on to our children.
We call on all Ijaw women across communities, states, and the diaspora to rise in unity. This is not a time for silence. It is a time to stand for truth, justice, and the future of our nation.
We also call on all political, traditional, business, and religious leaders as well as youth groups, to listen to the voice of conscience and act decisively to restore integrity, credibility, and unity within the Ijaw Nation.
We commend HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo, Chairman of the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE), for his courage and steadfast commitment to ensuring that what is right prevails over what is convenient.
As women, we stand for life, for peace, for justice, but also for accountability.
We will not watch in silence as our collective heritage is diminished.
We will not accept processes that divide our people.
We will stand, we will speak, and we will act: together.
The time to restore the Ijaw Nation is now.
May God guide us all.
Dr Timiebi Koripamo-Agary, OON
Ijaw Women Right Group
