IYC Forthcoming Factional Elections: Time For Ijaw Leaders To Speak And Act Fast 

Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), which is the umbrella body that shields and unites Ijaw youths all over the world, can be described as a child of circumstance and necessity.

Because of its large membership, it experiences internal crises from time to time.

The Council’s transition programmes are often characterized by crisis. It is so because individuals and different groups try to outsmart others.

But no matter the issues, successive leaderships were able to resolve them through the Council’s internal dispute resolutions mechanisms.

Before now, it was strange to take IYC matters to court. It was difficult to take IYC issues to police stations and even when such issues arose, they were often withdrawn through timely interventions of leaders and critical stakeholders and resolved amicably.

Everything changed under the leadership of Comrade Udengs Eradiri from Central Zone, where courts and police stations became IYC office annexes.

Transitional crisis under the above leadership witnessed the emergence of Barr. Oweilaemi Roland Pereotubo and Barr. Eric Omare both from Western Zone.

At the end of the tenure of that leadership, both Oweilaemi and Omare made unimaginable sacrifices that led to a unified National Convention where Comrade Peter Igbifa emerged as IYC President from Eastern Zone.

It is quite unfortunate that Comrade Igbifa, who was the highest beneficiary of the immeasurable sacrifices of Oweilaemi and Omare, was unable to manage the transition under him due to his quest to super impose his successor.

That sad development led to the emergence of two factions that are led by Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri and Dr. Alaye Theophilus.

Frankly speaking, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri is the duly elected President of IYC.

I contested the IYC Presidency with Jonathan Lokpobiri, Dr. Alaye Theophilus and other very outstanding illustrious sons of the Ijaw Nation.

The Spirit of the Time was in favour of Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri who had earlier suffered humiliation, rejection, denial and even arrest after the 2013 IYC National Convention where himself, Engr. Elvis Donkemezuo and others contested for the Presidency but were victimized in favour of Udengs Eradiri.

The victory of Lokpobiri during the 2023 National Convention was clear because the Spirit of the Time including the various systems in Ijaw land, were in his favour.

In that election, i got the most significant votes. I cherished the three (3) Votes that i got after so much betrayal by delegates who collected money and voted against me.

The three (3) votes, represented the Holy Trinity, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. I can not imagine the unimaginable divine peace of mind and body I enjoy after accepting the realities of that election.

It is sad and quite unfortunate that our great leaders, including Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri himself, were unable to manage the outcome of that election, and the resultant effect is the emergence of the purported Dr. Alaye Theophilus, who became almost more visible in all local and national media platforms.

IYC would have been factionalized after the 2012 National Convention at Ogulagha that was under the chairmanship of Dr. Kingsley Kuku as Chairman of ELECO.

But immediately after the emergence of Comrade Miabiye Kuromiema, he, alongside other leaders, brought all aspirants together and had meetings. He gave all aspirants assurances of inclusiveness even though he never kept to his promise. I say this because I worked closely with him as Director of Research and Documentation under the Office of the President of IYC Worldwide.

In that 2012 election at Ogulagha, i contested for National Spokesman. Five of us contested for that office, and in the end, Owuopele Jeremiah was declared winner. The ELECO said he won me with two (2) votes, and I accepted.

Today, before our eyes, the two factions of IYC leadership have sold forms.

Before our eyes, vibrant, vocal, eloquent, articulate, resilient, strong, highly productive and resourceful sons and daughters of the Ijaw Nation are campaigning round the length and breadth of Ijaw Nation and even to Abuja and Lagos chapters.

Besides the huge resources that they are all investing, we can imagine the risk of traveling on air, road, and even river.

Are Ijaw leaders waiting to settle them when both factions succeed in electing their respective Executives?

It is obvious Ijaw Nation has not appreciated the level of damage the factionalized IYC is doing to the unity of our great people.

I expect our great leaders to be proactive instead of being reactive when the damage is already done.

Nigeria is pregnant. The ominous moment and atmosphere are unpredictable. For the first time in the history of the post-civil Nigeria, Ijaw Nation is facing existential threats. Foreigners are invading Ijaw land. Ijaws need to wake up.

The time to act is NOW.

Ijaw leaders should invite the Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri Exco and the Dr. Alaye Theophilus group for an emergency meeting.

Thereafter, the two ELECO should be merge with Co-Chairmen.

Outstanding critical stakeholders in Ijaw land should be appointed to supervise the ELECO.

All Aspirants who have bought forms from both ELECO should be allowed to contest the ELECTION.

Adequate funds should be provided for the election to cater for accommodation, transportation and feeding. This will guide against individual aspirants vote buying.

Ijaw Nation can not afford to be in disarray at a time the country is full of uncertainties.

Ijaws should also wake up to the realities of the Grand Conspiracies against Ijaw Nation.

– Most Senior Comrade Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli, Critical Stakeholder in Ijaw Liberation Struggle.