IJAW ELDERS, STAKEHOLDERS WADE INTO IYC CRISIS, ADVISED LITIGATIONS WITHDRAWN

…The Ijaw nation is bigger than anyone-Omare

With a view to resolving the crisis rocking the Ijaw Youth Council IYC, stakeholders, Ijaw Youth leaders/Elders met, 16th March, with the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro in Asaba, with advice to All litigants to withdraw litigations with respect to the ongoing crisis.

A communique signed by All past presidents, elders council at the end of the meeting reads, “following the protests resulting from the Burutu IYC elective convention and the subsequent Okrika unity convention, past leaders of the IYC and Ijaw elders have intervened in the interest of peace and unity of the Ijaw nation.

“That the election fixed for March 25, 2017 arising from the Okrika unity convention be extended by two weeks to enable IYC past leaders and Ijaw elders resolved all contending issues and allow level playing field for contestants.

“Within this period, the zones and chapters are advised to put their houses together in preparation for the proposed Okrika unity convention of the IYC.

“All litigants and litigations with respect to the ongoing IYC crisis are advised to be withdrawn in the spirit of reconciliation.

The elders therefore recommended that a new date for the Okochiri (Okrika) convention be announced after due consultations.

Meanwhile, Barr. Eric Omare, while reacting to the recent happenings in the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), cum the meeting in Asaba said there is need for a sober reflection. According to him, he has reflected on the events of the elective convention of the IYC at Burutu town from 2nd to 3rd of March, 2017 and the subsequent Okrika convention on the 5th of March, 2017 which birth the present conflict.

Barr. Omare, who was elected as President at the Burutu elective convention, in a statement he personally signed thanked the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro, and elders of IYC for initiating the reconciliatory meeting.

He stated that the Ijaw nation is bigger than anyone hence the need to support the efforts of Ijaw leaders/elders and past leaders of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide towards reconciling all aggrieved members of the council.

He expressed his total support towards the process, and aligned with the resolutions of the reconciliatory meeting by Deacon Kingsley Otuaro.

Omare therefore apologized on behalf of himself and other members of the IYC for whatever inconvenience the crisis might have caused the Ijaw nation and its leaders.

He further appealed to all aggrieved Ijaw Youths to forgive and to support the peace process at their different zones and chapter levels in the overall interest of the common good of the entire Ijaw nation.

Omare expressed his gratitude to Ijaw leaders who took the initiative to start the reconciliation process. He specially thanked His Excellency, Henry Seriake Dickson, the Governor of Bayelsa state, His Excellency, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro, Deputy Governor of Delta State, Ijaw National Leader, Chief (Dr.) E. K. Clark, Chief Joshua Fumudoh, Dr. Felix Tuodolo, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, Elder Emmanuel Oyeinfie Jonjon, Elder T. K. Ogoriba, Dr. Chris Ekiyor, High Chief Tom Ateke, Hon. Dressy Dressyman, Hon. Maxwell Oko, Chief Daniel Ekpebide, Chief Boro Opudu, Hon. Famous Daunemigha, Rosebella Jackson, Mr. Mike Wenebowei, Continuous Ijaw Action (C.I.A), Mr. Lawrence Akpeti, Ambassador Dibi Yinkore, ThankGod Seibi, Peter Ajube, David Reje and a host of others who championed the reconciliation process.