Amidst tension and conflicting claims, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) is facing a leadership dispute as some candidates prepare for a rescheduled election. Dr. Theophilus Alaye, who claims to be the duly elected 9th President of IYC, has called on members to disregard the “rumoured rescheduled election” and asserts that the election was successfully conducted on July 19, 2023.
In a joint statement signed by Dr. Theophilus Alaye and ELECO chairman, Uran Solomon, they emphasized that the election into the 9th National Executive Council (NEC) of IYC was conducted as agreed upon by all structures and stakeholders of the council, with Dr. Theophilus Alaye emerging as president.
However, some aggrieved candidates have expressed dissatisfaction and intend to conduct a rescheduled election, alleging that they did not participate in the election that took place on July 19th.
Dr. Theophilus Alaye’s statement refutes the notion of a rescheduled election, asserting that the NECOM/ELECO, responsible for conducting elections, has been dissolved after the successful completion of the election on July 19th.
He calls on security agencies, the Bayelsa State government, and critical stakeholders to intervene and prevent any attempts to factionalize the IYC and create tensions in the Ijaw nation, particularly in Bayelsa State.
Dr. Theophilus Alaye reassures the Ijaw nation that the 9th NEC, led by himself, is committed to addressing crucial issues affecting the Ijaw people and steering the council in the right direction.
In his closing remarks, he urges all contestants and members of the council to work together with the 9th NEC to unite the Ijaw nation and advance its progress. The unfolding events will test the strength of the IYC’s leadership and the unity of its members as they strive to resolve the leadership dispute and move forward collectively.
