The Ijaw National Congress (INC), the highest socio-political body representing the Ijaw nation, has emphatically stated that the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) remains a united organization with no factions, dispelling rumors of internal division within the youth body.
This assertion was made at the conclusion of a one-day engagement between the INC, IYC stakeholders, and members of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the IYC, held on Tuesday in Warri, Delta State.
The meeting was attended by various leaders, including Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri, who is recognized as the legitimate president of the IYC.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, INC Publicity Secretary, Engr. Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, who represented the INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba clarified the organization’s stance.
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He reiterated that despite reports of internal disagreements, the IYC remains under a single leadership. “There is only one president, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri, and one executive council,” Oyakemeagbegha declared.
He further explained that internal wrangling among some members should not be misconstrued as factionalism within the IYC.
“The disagreements we have witnessed are merely internal misunderstandings among members of the National Executive Council. This is not unusual in any organization, and it certainly does not equate to the formation of factions,” Oyakemeagbegha noted.
He added that the issues had been addressed during the meeting, which provided an opportunity for reconciliation and further discussions on the way forward.
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Oyakemeagbegha described the interactive session between the INC and the IYC as productive and necessary for fostering unity. “There are no warring factions. It’s just a misunderstanding among the National Executive Council members of the IYC. These were the issues that were dealt with during the meeting,” he said.
The INC, as the umbrella body of the Ijaw people, emphasized the importance of maintaining unity within the IYC to continue advancing the socio-political and economic interests of the Ijaw nation.
The leadership stressed that the youth organization must remain focused on its primary objectives and avoid unnecessary distractions caused by internal disputes.
Observers note that INC’s strong stance on the matter may help to quell the growing speculations about divisions within the IYC.
The Ijaw Youth Council, founded in 1998, has been at the forefront of advocating for the rights and development of the Ijaw people, particularly in the Niger Delta region.
The meeting in Warri was seen as an important step towards reinforcing solidarity within the IYC and ensuring that the youth group remains united in pursuing the broader goals of the Ijaw nation.
