IPF to hold national elections February, appoints Abai Electoral Chairman

By Joseph Bienbo, Warri

The Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) has officially kicked off preparations for its upcoming national leadership election, scheduling it for February and appointing a new Electoral Committee led by Mr. Francis Abai of PENGlobal as Chairman.

The committee also includes Mr. Cletus Opukeme of Daily Watch as Secretary and Mr. Joseph Kanjo of Info Daily as a member.

Meanwhile, a Constitution Review Committee was also constituted, comprising Mr. Tare Magbei of Daily Report Nigeria as chairman, Mr. Ezekiel Kagbala of Focal Point as secretary and Mr. Francis Abai as a member.

These moves were seen as key to ensuring a smooth transition and strengthening the Forum’s internal processes.

However, the current National Executive Council, headed by Comrade Ozobo Austin, is set to step down on February 29, 2026. The IPF views this as a step towards enhancing accountability and democratic participation.

These decisions were reached in a Congress meeting held on the 15th January, 2026 at the Africa for Peace Games Village and supervised by Chief Sheriff Mulade Ph.D, as one of the patrons.

The statement urged members interested on vying for am executive office in the Forum to pick up nomination forms from the chairman of the electoral committee beginning from Monday 19th January, 2026 and all completed forms should be returned on or before January 25.

According to the report, the details of the election date and other modalities would be announced at due course.