Brave Dickson
The Eastern Zone of the Ijaw Youth Council on Saturday elected its new leadership that will pilot the affairs of the zone for the next three years.
The election took place in Obuama community in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State amidst tight security.
Speaking with our correspondent shortly after his emergence, the newly elected chairman of the zone, Tamuno Kpokpo vowed to end insecurity and bunkering in the Niger Delta region.
Kpokpo said, “my leadership is going to change the negative impression a lot of people are having on us that we are cultists.
“My leadership will also tackle insecurity and bunkering in the Niger Delta to save the lives, property and environment of our people.”
On his part, the host and Kalabari clan chairman of IYC, Edward Asiki-Tams adjudged the election which saw the emergence of a 10-man exco as most peaceful and credible.
Asiki-Tams urged other ethnicities to emulate the free and fair process of the just concluded IYC eastern zone election, adding that voter apathy would reduce in the country if elections are conducted peacefully.
This is the second time Kpokpo is piloting the affairs of IYC Eastern Zone as chairman.
His first term was said to have been characterised by rancour between him and some members of the zone who didn’t like his emergence.
Last year, Kpokpo publicly raised an alarm over the threat to his life, adding that unknown gunmen had several times pointed guns at him.
