Fresh Tension in Niger Delta Over

Akanimo Sampson

Fresh Tension in Niger Delta Over IJAW Youths Polls

THERE is a palpable air of uncertainties in the Ijaw axis of the volatile Niger Delta, Nigeria's main oil and gas basin, as 63 Ijaw youths are currently battling for the control of the soul of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), a potent socio-political machine.

Backstage moves last weekend to placate some radical wings within the Ijaw youth movement for a centrist course did not appear to yield any fruit.

Findings by our correspondent tend to show that there are some Ijaw youths who want to use the platform to stall the political ambition of some Ijaw elite in 2011. Guarded whispers in some camps also indicated that there are some public functionaries in the oil and gas region, the Ijaw youths are regarding as ''failed politicians''.

There are equally some unsettled areas over the adoption of a ‘One man, One vote’ system for the elections scheduled for this coming June 26, at Oghulagha community in Burutu Local Government Areas of Delta State.

The various aspirants, drawn from the 57 Ijaw communities, addressed the electorate including the pioneer President of the council, Dr. Felix Toudolor, on their plans for the Ijaw youths in the next three years after the tenure of the incumbent President, Dr. Chris Ekiyor, which expires on July 2.

Out of the 53 aspirants, 50 were enlisted as vying for the position of the Presidency with personalities such as Kenedy Tamunotonjo West, Aladiokuma Henry Hart and Soboma Jackrich popularly known as Egberipapa displaying a projected plan for the development of the Youth council if elected as President.

The position of the President is zoned to Rivers State, and many of the aspirants including those contesting for the position of the Deputy President, Secretary-General, Spokesman, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Director of Mobilisation, Legal Adviser and Woman Leader would are being screened by the 2010 Election Committee headed by a former executive member and a legislator with the Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr. Kingsley Kuku.

While the Kuku election panel is expected to come up with the final list of candidates for the various offices on Monday, the swearing-in ceremony will be held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on July 3.

In the mean time, panelists at the IYC Election debate at the weekend which included Former IYC chieftain, Nengi James and the Publisher of the local tabloid,the Izon Link, Alfred Egbegi,were optimistic that such interaction will produce a credible and tested executive officers for the youth council.

Speaking in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, during the debate Mr. Kuku said though there had been rumour of a plot by some persons to rig the election of the Ijaw youth body, ''the strategy to be adopted by the election committee is that of one man, one vote''.

Kuku said the various aspirants should reach out to delegates and secure the support rather than rely on the power of godfathers. ”What we want is a credible poll and all the ballot boxes to be used will be transparent. Anything less than credible election will not be accepted'', Mr. Kuku said.

Some of the aspirants Kennedy West, who is vying for the post of president, and the aspirant for the position of spokesman, Owoupele Prekeme said the debate and the screening exercise will help to reposition the IYC with quality leadership.

ENDS

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