By Peter Jonah
In response to the recent statement regarding the Ijaw Youth Council Western election which captured Egbema Clan as an hegemony over all other Clans in Edo State wing of the IYC, it’s important to reaffirm the foundational principles of our zone. The Western Zone has always been guided by the principles of fairness, competence, and non-sentimental decision-making in leadership selection. We pride ourselves on creating a level playing field for all competent aspirants, devoid of bias. Let us be weary of any statements or characters that would say or do anything to encourage internal rift, in the guise of fairness that seeks to disenfranchise or malign the aspirations of others from other clans.
It’s imperative to reiterate that leadership positions in our zone are not predetermined by clan affiliations. Instead, they are based on the merits of individual candidates and their capacity to lead effectively. It is also wrong to say that a particular clan should Jettison their interests because they have been found worthy as a result of their active participation over the years.
The suggestion to prioritize one clan over another contradicts the ethos of fairness and inclusivity that define our democratic process in this zone. All aspirants, regardless of clan origin, should be given equal consideration based on their qualifications and vision for the Ijaw Youth Council Western zone.
It is also important to use this medium to advise all aspirants to stay focused on selling their visions and plans to leaders, stakeholders and delegates. The present-day Western Zone needs to move with a sense of urgency to achieve better outcomes for people. Therefore, we all need to put to the table what we think we can offer and not engage in a self-pity and sympathy seeking campaign that tends to dent the aspiration of others who sincerely mean well for the zone.
We urge all stakeholders and delegates to remain steadfast in upholding the democratic principles that have guided us thus far into great progress as a zone, ensuring that the forthcoming election is conducted with transparency, integrity, and a commitment to the collective advancement of our zone and the Ijaw nation at large.
It is pertinent that we inform the public to ignore the selfish analysis, making the rounds,
There has never been a time the Egbama clan has been the benefiting side alone, the Olodiama Clan has enjoyed more in the struggle in as much as we all lend our voice as big brothers but it has never been same, this same kind of greedy Agitation made the Edo Ijaw’s to lose the Ijaw National Academy project by the then Gov. Dickson led administration because they wanted it in their territory which was not suitable for the project everyone knew was not a suitable locationfor such project, Olodiama produced the Pioneer President of Ijaw National Congress (INC) Late Prof. Christopher A. Dimie, Also Elder Robinson Ogunkoru has been Chairman Ijaw National Congress (INC) Western Zone Chairman for over 12years now, Similarly Comrade Tikima Arigban is Chairman of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Lagos Chapter from Olodiama, Comr. Olu-Derimon, the outgoing Zonal Secretary of the IYC Western Zone, held the highest office that was Zone to Edo States while Egbema Clan got the least office. Also, in the past IYC National election, Olodiama Clan produced 3 delegates as a clan. Olodiama Clan also houses the Amnesty Training Center, among other factors steering at our faces, so where is the injustice? You took the highest office that came to Edo State in the last electioneering season of council in Western Zone, and in this present electioneering season you still want the highest office of Edo State to go to you. Is that not selfishness in itself?
Conclusively, the same way an element in Olodioma Clan thinks and feel that he can advance the course of Ijaw’s in Edo State, is same way we think and Know that we can advance the course of Ijaw’s in not just Edo State but also in Ondo and Delta State.
Sign.
Hon Gandi Wisdom,
Coordinator Parliamentarians Western Zone, IYC 5th mobile Parliament Worldwide.
