Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu
Former Governor Aspirant and APC Chieftain in Rivers State Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill has congratulated Prof Benjamin Okaba on his emergence as the President of Ijaw National Congress (INC).
Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill in a congratulatory statement said the emergence of Prof Benjamin Okaba is an affirmation of his acceptability among the Ijaw people.
He also congratulated Electoral Committee ELECO, ably chaired by highly respected Professor of Geodesy, Alabo Dagogo Fubara for delivering a credible election.
Tonye Princewill also lauded the Committee of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders, CITRE headed by His Majesty, King Alfred Diete Spiff for successfully steering the entire process that led to the return of the INC.
The APC Chieftain also called for deeper collaboration between the INC, socio-cultural organizations across the country, professional bodies, and the political leadership to work out appropriate responses to the challenges facing Ijaw people and the country at large.
The Full Statement
Dear Sir,
I join all well-meaning individuals and organizations to congratulate you and the National Executive Council, NEC of the Ijaw National Congress, INC the apex socio-cultural organization of the Ijaw ethnic nationality.
Your victory on April 30, 2021, election, swearing-in and your stepping forward to speak up on national issues of real concern to our people could not have occurred at a more opportune time than now, with the country facing deeply troubling challenges to the economy and insecurity.
Your emergence as president is particularly remarkable as an affirmation of your acceptability among the Ijaw people, having won the 2019 election before it was unfortunately aborted.
I extend commendations to the Electoral Committee ELECO, ably chaired by highly respected Professor of Geodesy, Alabo Dagogo Fubara for delivering credible electoral outcomes recorded through e-voting that marks a definitive departure from past elections marred by rancour resulting often in litigation.
I take note of the successful participation of Ijaw delegates in the United Kingdom, European and North American Diaspora in the pre-election debates and elections, in response to the yawning desire for full participation by our Diaspora Ijaws in INC affairs. This success enabled by technology, demands deeper exploration of the possibilities for credible elections, by the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC to address the troubling gaps in national elections and age-long demands by the Nigerian Diaspora for voting rights wherever they may reside.
Congratulations also to the Committee of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders, CITRE headed by His Majesty, King Alfred Diete Spiff for successfully steering the entire process that has translated to the return of the INC to visibility and voice of note on Ijaw and Niger Delta affairs ending about eight years of troubling absence.
I wish to recommend deeper collaboration between the INC, socio-cultural organizations across the country, professional bodies, and the political leadership to work out appropriate responses to the challenges facing our peoples and country to navigate to safety, stability, and prosperity.
Congratulations.
Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill
