To prevent the balkanization of the Ijaw Youths Council and threat to peace in Ijaw Nation, the governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has urged those saddled with the responsibility of organizing the forthcoming IYC election to be fair and transparent in all their activities.
Diri gave the charge on Tuesday when the IYC President, Comrade Jonathan Lokpobiri, presented the Dr. Charles Ikimi-led electoral committee to him at Government House, Yenagoa.
The governor said a lot rested on the shoulders of Ikimi and members of his committee, urging them to avoid the recent election-related crisis in the Ijaw National Congress (INC), even as he assured of his administration’s support for the Ijaw nation’s topmost youth organisation but warned against its involvement in partisan politics.
Diri said he was closely monitoring the IYC activities, including its recent convention that produced a new constitution, which he noted would address issues challenging its existence.
He said: “As the electoral committee, a lot rests on your shoulders. I will not want a repeat of what played out during the recently held Ijaw National Congress election here in Yenagoa. Make sure you are fair to all contestants in the election.
“My administration will continue to give the needed support for the Ijaw Youth Council to grow. However, the body must not be politicised as we have witnessed in other quarters.
“I have followed the activities of the council closely, including the convention that produced its constitution. I am delighted that the IYC has successfully drafted a document to address the issues challenging its existence.”
Diri admonished the organisation’s leadership not to forget the history of the Ijaw struggle birthed by the late Major Isaac Adaka Boro, and that it should work with the INC to speak against issues of injustice and environmental genocide in the Niger Delta region.
He also commended the outgoing leadership for initiating the construction of a permanent secretariat for the council.
Lokpobiri, in his remarks, had expressed gratitude to Diri for his consistent support to the council. While also formally presenting the electoral committee for the 2026 IYC National Convention, noted that the committee will oversee the election scheduled for July 11, 2026.
He stated that the council had successfully produced the final copy of its constitution, saying it was an achievement that had eluded past leaderships.
The IYC leader explained that the constitution serves as the guiding framework for activities of the body.
Lokpobiri also informed the governor that this year’s Boro Day celebration would be the last under his leadership and that he intends to make it memorable.
