Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has intensified efforts to resolve the lingering IYC Crisis, calling on the factional leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) to put aside their differences and work together to preserve the unity and progress of the Ijaw nation.
Key Highlights
•Governor Douye Diri moves to end the IYC Crisis through dialogue with stakeholders.
•Factional leaders Jonathan Lokpobiri and Dr. Theophilus Alaye urged to reconcile.
•Governor calls for a peaceful, free and credible IYC elective convention.
•Ijaw leaders stress unity as key to advancing the interests of the Ijaw nation.
•Former IYC presidents and stakeholders back reconciliation efforts.
Governor Diri made the appeal on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting involving both factions of the Ijaw Youth Council and prominent Ijaw leaders at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa.
Addressing the gathering, the governor urged the factional leaders, Jonathan Lokpobiri and Dr. Theophilus Alaye, to set aside personal differences and embrace reconciliation in the larger interest of the Ijaw nation.
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He called on both leaders to work together toward conducting a united elective convention that would produce a widely accepted leadership for the Ijaw Youth Council.
According to the governor, the IYC must conduct its elections strictly in accordance with its constitution to ensure the emergence of credible leaders committed to the development and unity of the Ijaw people.
In a symbolic move towards reconciliation, Senator Diri invited Lokpobiri and Alaye to the podium, where he encouraged them to publicly shake hands and commit to peaceful coexistence.
He emphasised that love, brotherhood, unity and peace should take precedence over personal ambition and political interests.
“Let us not pretend. As Ijaws, we are not where we want to be, but we have come a long way. Ijaw youths will be one and they will be united. We might be looking for fame and fortune, but there is something greater than that, which is love and unity.
“Lokpobiri and Alaye should work together and ensure that the IYC election does not go the way of the INC election. They should learn from past mistakes and conduct a peaceful, free, fair and transparent election.
“As usual, I am not imposing any candidate. We need someone who has the interest of the Ijaw nation at heart and who will fly our flag. We cannot be divided at this time. We can no longer have factional leadership in the IYC,” the governor said.
## Stakeholders Back Peace Initiative
In his remarks, IYC President Comrade Jonathan Lokpobiri stressed the importance of patriotism, noting that the collective interest of the Ijaw nation should always take precedence over personal interests.
Pioneer IYC President and former Bayelsa State Commissioner for Ijaw National Affairs, Dr. Felix Tuodolo, urged Ijaw youths to embrace peace, warning that prolonged internal conflicts could weaken the organisation.
Also speaking, former IYC President and the monarch of Elem-Kalabari Kingdom, King Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, said the unity of the Ijaw people was more important than individual ambitions.
He called on Ijaw leaders to unite in pursuing the collective aspirations of the ethnic nationality.
“The unity we seek and desire is greater than all of us. We need to come together and confront those oppressing us. Today, we have a Governor of Bayelsa State who was part of the INC. He is the Governor-General of the Ijaw nation and, by virtue of his position, carries the responsibility of advancing the cause of all Ijaw people.”
Former IYC presidents Dr. Chris Ekiyor and Dr. Oyeinfie Jonjon also appealed for reconciliation, urging both leaders to end the leadership dispute to enable the organisation effectively represent the interests of Ijaw youths across the Niger Delta.
Similarly, one of the early leaders of the IYC, Elder Timi Ogoriba, underscored the need for the council to remain a vibrant platform dedicated to promoting the welfare and aspirations of the Ijaw people.
In his vote of thanks, former IYC spokesman and former Presidential Adviser on Niger Delta as well as former Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr. Kingsley Kuku, commended all stakeholders for supporting efforts to resolve the leadership impasse.
He particularly praised Governor Diri for his commitment to dialogue and reconciliation, expressing optimism that the peace initiative would pave the way for a united and stronger Ijaw Youth Council.
