Stakeholders from Kurutie, Kunukunuma, Kantu, and Pepperama Zone in the Gbaramatu Youth Council (GYC) have expressed strong opposition to the recent extension of Comrade Shadrach Ebikeme’s executive tenure.
The decision to extend their term was made recently during an emergency meeting held at Casa De Pedro Annex, Warri, despite the official expiration of their term on May 29, 2023.
In a statement signed by Paul Atamba – for Peppe-ama and Phanuel Apiti- Acting President, Kurutie, the group made it clear that they are not part of this extension process.
Read the full statement below:
“We, a coalition of concerned individuals and stakeholders of the Gbaramatu Youth Council (GYC) from Kurutie, Kunukunuma, Kantu, and Peppeama Zone, wish to express our opposition to the recent decision reached in an Emergency meeting held at Casa De Pedro Annex, Warri, where a decision was reached to extend the tenure of the Hon. Shadrach Ebikeme’s led Executive of the Gbaramatu Youth Council (GYC) Worldwide which has since expired May 29, 2023.
The GYC is a vital organization responsible for the welfare and development of Gbaramatu youths in Delta State. It holds an important role in our kingdom.
It is important to clarify that the meeting did not have the powers to reach such a decision as it was an emergency meeting and was not held in any of the traditional Communities of Gbaramatu Kingdom. More so, the issue of tenure is purely a constitutional matter that instructs rotation of leadership among the five administrative zones of the kingdom. Any attempt to halt that order will render the constitution of our revered institution useless.
Simply put, our primary concern is the violation of the GYC constitution, which does not permit tenure extensions. Specifically, Section 10(1) of the constitution states, ‘The tenure of office of any executive officer shall be three (3) years, and no more.’
Moreover, Section 1(1)(2)(3) emphasizes that ‘the constitution is supreme, and its provisions shall have binding force on all authorities and persons throughout the council.’ It further declares that ‘if any other law is inconsistent with the provisions of this constitution, this constitution shall prevail, and that other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.’ Additionally, the constitution mandates that ‘no person or groups of persons shall take over the government of the council except in accordance with the provisions of this constitution.’
As responsible stakeholders, we call upon the Shadrach Ebikeme led executive to reconsider this decision and conduct a comprehensive review in line with the organization’s constitution.
Our opposition is grounded in our commitment to accountability, fairness, and respect for constitutional principles. We cannot watch one man or group of persons abuse the constitution to satisfy their selfish whims and caprices.
Therefore, we call on the GYC Parliament to rely on the provision of the constitution to, as a matter of urgency, follow due process to correct this abnormality and total usurpation of powers demonstrated by the Shadrach Ebikeme led Executive.
Finally, we state that the Shadrach Ebikeme led executive, whose tenure expired since May 29, 2023, should, as a matter of urgent kingdom interest and the unity of the GYC, immediately kickstart the transition process and complete it within the next 3 months to avoid tarnishing their reputation. It is expedient for people in public office to master the art of stepping aside when the ovation is loud.”
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