The leadership crisis rocking the Ijaw National Congress took a fresh turn as a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt issued an interim injunction restraining the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE), the President of the INC, and the Chairman of the Electoral Committee from inaugurating, swearing in, or presenting any persons as officers of the INC.
The INC has been embroiled in crisis following the controversial April 13 NEC elections, which CITRE, regarded as the Supreme Court of the INC, declared null and void over alleged breaches of the constitution.
Pastor Victor Burubo, Eneyo Athanasius Emmanuel, and Ekene Okeigbeye filed the suit seeking an order of the court to stop the inauguration.
Justice Sobere Biambo, after hearing submissions from V.U. Uzochukwu, counsel to the applicants, granted the injunction restraining the defendants from swearing in any officer who emerged from the April 13 election pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
Justice Biambo subsequently adjourned the case to May 8 for the hearing of the motion on notice.
The Chairman of CITRE, who also serves as Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo, Agada IV, the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, had earlier stated during a press conference held in his office after the controversial election that, in the eyes of Ijaw traditional rulers and elders, no election took place on April 13.
