Francis Sadhere
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Worldwide, has dissociated itself from a faceless Niger Delta Group that goes by the name Forum of Past Youth Leaders of Ethnic Nationalities in the South-South, describing them as inconsequential elements looking for recognition ahead of 2015 general elections.
IYC stated this in a press release signed by its Spokesman, Barrister Eric Omare and made available to our correspondent in Warri recently.
According to the Barr. Omare, IYC’s attention was drawn to a publication in one of the national dailies (not National Reformer) titled, “‘Youth Leaders to Jonathan: Don’t Contest 2015 Election’ which was credited to one unknown body called Forum of Past Youth Leaders of Ethnic Nationalities in the South-South and signed by Alhaji Mumakai Unagha and Ekpo Ukon, two unknown persons in the South-South Region.”
While calling on Nigerians to ignore the said publication by the group, IYC said that there is no organization known as Forum of Past Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders in the South-South, adding that the signatories were unknown persons as far as youth leadership in the South-South region was concerned.
The Ijaw group said, “However, we have decided to react to set the records straight especially considering the fact that the alleged forum claims to represent past youth leaders of Ethnic Nationalities in the South-South region of which the IYC past leaders form an integral part.”
IYC further stated that; “IYC as the collection of Ijaw Youths and the largest ethnic nationality in the South-South has consulted with all its past Presidents and prominent leaders such as Dr. Felix Tuodolor, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, Mr. Jonjon Oyefia, Dr. Chris Ekiyor, Mr. Abiye, T. K. Ogoriba, and a host of other Ijaw Youth leaders who all confirmed that they were not part of the said meeting and there was no such meeting.”
Barr. Omare reiterated IYC’s total support for President Jonathan and stated that the Jonathan 2015 Presidency was a project of the South-South people and the youths of the South-South were irrevocably committed to this project. “South-South youths are already mobilizing towards the re-election of Dr. Jonathan in 2015 in synergy with other ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.”
IYC, therefore, called on members of the public to disregard the statement purported to have been made by the inconsequential Past South-South Youth Leaders Forum as they do not have the support to organize any anti-Jonathan campaign in any part of the South-South Region.
