IYC CALLS FOR SUSPENSION OF ALL CLAN ELECTIONS, AS ZONAL LEADERSHIP SET TO TAKE CHARGE.

The leadership of the Ijaw Youths council  (IYC) in Central zone, has called for the suspension of all clan elections, while also informing it's national body on the need to withdraw captain Ozu, as chairman of the Electoral committee for clan elections in the zone, else the reputation of the council would be ridiculed.

Issuing the statement, was the Ag. Chairman of the zone, Comr. Amiebi Turner, according to him, the decision was borne out of the 4th state executive council meeting held today August 19th 2017, after receiving several reports indicating irregularities in the entire electioneering process, which has caused disaffection amongst Youths of the zone.

The Ag. Chairman noted, the council may take charge of all clan elections yet to be conducted, pending when the National leadership will substitute the current electoral chairman, who is facing series of allegations.

Amiebi cited cases of electoral fraud in Kolokuma clan, Opokuma clan, oporomor clan, and many others, which were marred with mild violence, leading to fisticufss amongst Youths under the watch of captain Ozu.

Amiebi noted that the zone had to intervene to resolve some crises that had erupted before it escalated, were they consulted with stakeholders, the likes of Owoupele Jp, Hon. Bara Otobo and gbarain Youths presidents, to ensure the just concluded peaceful elections in Gbarain.

Amiebi further noted, that the zone after receiving several reports had to quickly constitute an investigation committee, which led to the discovery, that the Electoral chairman was playing to the gallery of politicians at the detriment of the image of the council.

He therefore apologised to clans which are yet to conduct their elections, assuring them, that the leadership of the zone was committed to the will of the people.

Amiebi further notified the national leadership, that it has received protest and weighty allegation letters against the electoral chairman, as such, all clan elections would be suspended forthwith to return normalcy to the zone.

He lastly asked the leadership to heed to the call of stakeholders, opinion leaders and elders, whom are mostly from the same constituent with the electoral chairman and do justice by withdrawing his nomination as electoral chairman.

Amiebi thanked all the elders for their immense support and show of solidarity throughout the entire process, and promises them that the zonal leadership would meet with opinion leaders and communicate a new date for all clan elections.