EDITORIAL: Why Chief James Nengi Is the Only Sensible Choice for INC 2026
By Mingo Friday Sayami Ogumaka
Niger Delta Youth Leader
By EgbemaVoice,
As the Ijaw National Congress (INC) moves steadily toward its 2026 leadership transition, the responsibility before delegates, elders, and stakeholders is profound. This is not a season for experiments, sentiments, or sectional calculations. It is a moment that demands tested leadership, deep institutional knowledge, and unwavering commitment to the Ijaw cause.
In this context, one name stands tall and unambiguous Chief James Nengi.
Chief James Nengi is currently the Second Vice President (Vice President II) of the Ijaw National Congress, a position that places him at the heart of INC’s decision-making architecture. His present role is not ceremonial; it is strategic. It has afforded him firsthand experience in managing the affairs, challenges, and expectations of the apex Ijaw organization. Leadership succession, if it must strengthen rather than destabilize the INC, should naturally flow from such experience.
From a youth leadership perspective, Chief Nengi’s journey resonates deeply. He is a product of sustained Ijaw activism, having engaged the struggle from grassroots youth movements to broader Niger Delta advocacy platforms. This background gives him authenticity — not as a distant elite, but as a leader who understands the frustrations, hopes, and sacrifices of Ijaw youths and communities.
Equally important is his clarity of voice. In times when silence from leaders has often worsened tensions, Chief James Nengi has consistently chosen engagement over indifference.
His public interventions on sensitive issues including the handling of oil pipeline surveillance contracts reflect a leader concerned not only with economic justice but with peace, inclusion, and unity among Niger Delta youths. His emphasis on dialogue rather than violence underscores a rare balance of courage and responsibility.
Leadership is not only about holding office; it is about earning trust. Across Ijaw communities, Chief Nengi has built a reputation as a visible, accessible, and principled community figure. His involvement in grassroots affairs and advocacy has positioned him as a bridge between elders and youths, between tradition and modern political realities. Such bridging capacity is exactly what the INC needs at this critical juncture.
The INC must remain a unifying force for the Ijaw nation, not a platform weakened by internal rivalry or leadership inexperience. The stakes are too high — from resource control and political inclusion to cultural preservation and youth empowerment.
Therefore, this editorial is not merely an endorsement; it is a call to reason. If continuity, stability, courage, and credibility are to define INC 2026, then the choice is evident.
Chief James Nengi is not just an option — he is the only sensible choice for INC 2026.
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