Gov. Okowa Insists On Omare
The umbrella body of the Ijaw youths, Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, has been torn into pieces following series of controversy that has trialed it’s constitution of electoral committee and it’s election held amidst tight security last week Thursday and Friday at Burutu town, Burutu local government area of Delta state.
The controversial election, HardReporters gathered, produced the group’s former spokesman and Special Assistant to Delta State Governor, Mr. Ifeanyi Okowa on Youths and Community Development, Mr. Eric Omare as its President with a total of 67 votes to defeat his only challenger, Mr. Justine Okubo who did not record a single vote.
In his acceptance speech shortly after his controversial election, Mr. Omare acknowledged the crisis rocking the IYC, promising that his new executive without wasting of time would immediately commence the process of total reconciliation and healing all the wounds that may have been inflicted during the election.
HardReporters gathered that the current crack in the apex body of the Ijaw youths, over what is been described as kangaroo election held last week may be giving birth to another president of the body through another election set to take place today at Okrika in Rivers State by a group said to be loyal to former president of the body, Alhaji
Mujahid Dokubo-Asari.
Our correspondent learnt that former president of the body, Alhaji
Mujahid Dokubo-Asari and the immediate past president, Mr. Udengs Eradiri are currently in a battle of supremacy. It was learnt that Alhaji Dokubo-Asari had accused Mr. Eradiri of financial recklessness and amassing wealth to the detriment of the youths.
Reacting to the crisis rocking the Ijaw Youth Congress, Special Assistant to governor Ifeanyi Okowa on crisis resolution, Mr. Rex Ekiugbo Anighoro wrote on his facebook time line “Why are there two congresses, Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli, Gabriel Patterson Unyeowaji, Razak William Amatoru, Tonbra Kasikoro, Felicia Reginald Ngeri? Eric Omare seem more acceptable, wetin dey happen? Can’t you guys harmonize? What is the way forward Felix Tuodolo, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, Jonjon Oyenife, Chris Ekiyor, Kuromiema Miabiye, Eraderi Udengs? I wish Ijaw Youths Well.”
Giving answers to Mr. Anighoro’s reaction, the former president of the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, through a facebook account noted that Anighoro as a stakeholder in the region, his opinion is needed in a crisis situation such as this.
“Rex yes Eric Omare stands a good chance to be president of IYC as he enjoy widespread support across all the zones….but he is squandering this goodwill by allying with Udengs who is on the road to perdition.”
Meanwhile it was reliably gathered that governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state has thrown his support for the emergence of Mr. Eric Omare as the new President of the IYC.
HardReporters learnt that the governor had before now tipped Mr. Omare as his candidate for the election following the benefits its second term ambition will enjoy.
“Okowa has consistently insisted that come sun come rain, his aide, Mr. Eric Omare must be made the new president of the Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC).” our source stated.
According to our government house source who confided in HardReporters, “The interest of governor Okowa in the IYC election is connected to his second term ambition where he believes that with the assistance of IYC with one of his aides at the helm of affairs, his second term is secured.”
It would be recalled that before the Burutu controversial election that produced Mr. Eric Omare, two electoral committees had emerged. The two parallel committees has one Mr. Oscar Isu as chairman while the other has one Mr. Jeremiah Owoupele as its chairman.
Following the emergence of the two electoral committees, it was gathered the former president of the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari said no nobody can be bigger than the Ijaw nation, and therefore warned the immediate past president of the council, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, not to go ahead to conduct any election until all issues are resolved amicably.
But Mr. Eradiri called the bluff of Alhaji Dokubo-Asari, describing his warning as “Rubbish”, noting that Asari has no locus standi as such the election will go on at Burutu as planned.
