By Brave Dickson
The Ijaw Youth Council’s national election will now hold in Obuama (Harry’s Town), the ancestral home of IYC’s former national president, Alhaji Dokubo Asari.
The disagreements facing the venue of the election were put to rest when security factor tilted the venue in favour of Asari’s hometown.
Narrating other factors that also brought the election venue to the hometown of Asari, the Chairman of IYC Kalabari Se – Ikpangi, Comrade Edward Asikitams told our correspondent that Kalabari was the tribe that played host to the affirmation of the 1999 Kaiama dèclaration.
He said: “We like to commend the Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, former national presidents and other leaders in council for their conscious efforts in resolving the crisis rocking IYC.
“The finally approved venue for the forthcoming election was not chosen by mistake. It was chosen in recognition of how well the place is, in terms of security and the sacrifice made by the Kalabari people in affirming the Kaiama dèclaration.
“In 1999, there was an affirmation of Kaiama declaration which was held in Minama in Kalabariland.
“Also, Alhaji Dokubo Asari was the first deputy national president and the second national president of IYC. So, there was need to allow him host the 2023 IYC national election.
“So, the decision made by the leaders of council, organs of council and the founders of zonal structures in accepting Obuama (Harry’s Town) for the hosting of this election is in the right direction.
“We want to commend our leader, Alhaji Asari for accepting to host the Ijaw nation in his hometown.
“Therefore, any divergent view.not to host this election in Harry’s Town is out of place. Consequently, the electoral body has started mobilising to Obuama to assess the venue and to put up every modality to make sure this election takes place.
“So, we are using this medium to call on all participants in this election that we are guaranteeing them maximum secuity and the peaceful atmosphere, required for this election to hold successfully.”
