The Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has brought the legal dispute over the leadership of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) to a close by affirming the election of Mr. McDonald Igbadiwei as President of the foremost Ijaw socio-cultural organisation.

The court dismissed on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, the suit filed by retired Rear Admiral Geoffrey Iyanga, challenging the process that produced Igbadiwei as President of the INC.

The reported judgment confirms the validity of the current National Executive Council elected on April 10, 2026.

Retired Rear Admiral Iyanga had alleged irregularities in the conduct of the election, questioning the composition of the Francis Tabai-led electoral committee, and raising issues concerning the eligibility of candidates.

However, the appellate court ruled in favour of Igbadiwei, agreeing with the submissions of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, M. J. Numa, alongside Ebibenabo Okorodas, that the Yenagoa High Court erred by failing to first determine the issue of jurisdiction before proceeding to consider the substantive claims.

According to the court, once the jurisdiction of a court is challenged, it must first be resolved before any other issue can be entertained. 

Having found that the lower court did not follow this established legal principle, the Court of Appeal dismissed Iyanga's suit.

The judgment effectively validates the April 10, 2026, INC national election held at Ijaw House in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, and conducted by the Tabai-led electoral committee, confirming Igbadiwei as the duly elected President of the Ijaw National Congress.

The ruling is expected to bring an end to months of legal uncertainty surrounding the leadership of the organisation and provide a basis for the current National Executive Council to continue its administration without further judicial encumbrance.

The decision is also being viewed by observers as a significant affirmation of the internal electoral process that produced the present INC leadership, potentially paving the way for greater unity and stability within the apex Ijaw socio-cultural body as it pursues its mandate of promoting the interests and development of the Ijaw people.