By: Felix Ikpotor
The Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, has described the outcome of the governorship and state house of assembly elections in Rivers State as a direct attack on the Ijaw nation.
IYC in a statement by its president Mr, Eric Omare said reports from its members scattered all over the state indicates a deliberate attack on the Ijaw nation as there were suspicious attempts to scuttle the chances of any Ijaw son who seems likely to get the chance to govern the state.
The youth body said it is curious that an Ijaw son Biokpomabo Awara was leading in the elections before it was suspended by INEC.
It however, called on the electoral body to immediately continue with the process of collation of results for the elections.
The statement in full:
The Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide has closely watched the activities surrounding the 2019 Rivers State Gubernatorial and House of Assembly Elections. The reports coming from our members, scattered across the state, only proves to us, that the Ijaw nation is under attack. Elections held in other parts of the country, and those elections were relatively peaceful with pockets of violence in few locations.
Scores of Ijaw songs and daughters have been harassed and intimidated by the activities and presence of the Nigerian Army in Rivers State. More particularly the attack on His Royal Majesty, Tom Ateke and The former President of the IYC, Alhaji Asari Dokubo. We condemn these attacks in the strongest terms. Thugs are being armed to cause mayhem in core Ijaw communities, while other locations in the state, enjoy the comfort of a peaceful environment. These and many more atrocities are plaguing the Ijaws in Rivers State. We will not tolerate it!
We have also monitored the collation of results across all the 23 LGA’s in Rivers State. From our records, an Ijaw son was leading in the gubernatorial race, before INEC suspended the exercise. Though we cannot predict the outcome of the elections, we want to make known our suspicion of sabotage. It is funny that leading to this date; every gubernatorial candidate from Ijaw extraction that gains momentum, and stands a chance of victory at the Polls, was mysteriously knocked out of the race. The issues of Tonye Cole from the APC and Dumo Lulu Briggs from the Accord Party are still moving front and back in court, while election day has come and gone. Now Engr Awara Biokpomabo of the AAC; an Ijaw son was leading and suddenly INEC suspends the exercise for security concerns.
We do not support or celebrate violence in elections. However, since the elections have been concluded and results collated at the unit, ward and local government levels, we call on INEC to immediately commence with the state collation of the Rivers State Gubernatorial elections or we will be left with no other option than to act like a Nation Under Attack. We demand equity for all. We also demand an immediate stop to the attacks on Ijaw people and communities in Rivers State.
Signed for the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide:
Eric Omare, Esq
President, IYC
