The Ijaw Youth Council in Western Zone has extended its seven days ultimatum to the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, over the alleged oppressive behavior of Dr Paul Bebenimibo.
Dr Paul Bebenimibo, the Commissioner representing Ijaw ethnic nationality made headlines for the wrong reasons after beating up the President of Ogbe-Ijoh Youth Council, Mr James Etimadimene, just over a week ago.
The action forced the intervention of the Western Zone IYC led by Comrade Doubra Okotete, which served Dr Bebenimibo a seven days ultimatum to right his wrongs.
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The ultimatum demanded for the culprit to apologize to the victim and the Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom, pay for the victim’s medical expenses and replacement of any damaged properties during his molestation, as well as the initiation of a peace process between Dr Paul and the IYC.
However, rising from an emergency meeting on Sunday in Warri, the IYC announced an extension of the ultimatum issued to DESOPADEC by two weeks, citing the intervention of stakeholders in Delta State as a reason for the new development.
This was contained in a statement signed by major officers of the zone, calling for calm from members of the Zone to give more room for dialogue.
The statement signed by Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete, Chairman IYC Western Zone, Comrade Frank Pukon, Secretary-General IYC Worldwide, Comrade Obiri Ebilade (esq) Legal Adviser IYC Worldwide, Rt. Hon Comrade Bob Collins Igetei, Speaker IYC 5th Mobile Parliament Worldwide, Comrade Tina Tobusi, Women Leader IYC Worldwide
Comrade Lugard Izoukumor, Information Officer IYC Western Zone, read;
“In view of the above headline: The leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Western Zone—in collaboration with national officers and advise of critical stakeholders from the Zone has extended the one-week ultimatum given to Desopadec, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, Honorable Commissioner Representing Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in DESOPADEC, to two weeks (starting from October 25, 2021) with all sense of bitterness.
“Following the intervention of Ijaw political leaders, as well as other leaders that have contributed enormously to the Ijaw struggle and indeed the socio-economic and political advancement of the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality, the IYC in Western Zone, its national officers and stakeholders have extended the one-week ultimatum to two weeks to give room for a roundtable discussion.
“It will be recalled that Dr. Paul Bebenimibo has met 2 of the 3 demands reached via the the one week ultimatum in the communique. It is pertinent to state that the extension is due to the intervention of our respected Ijaw leaders from all works of life and it will be disrespectful not to listen to their passionate appeals for extension.
“While in the communique: We urged Dr Paul Bebenimibo to apologize to the Youth President and Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, pay the medical bills of the Youth President, as well as fulfill Council’s monthly subvention as done to other ethnic youth bodies.
“Amongst these demands, it is only the subvention and his negative attitude towards the Ijaw Youth Council and Ijaw people in general the Honorable Commissioner has not met. Hence, we extend our one week ultimatum to two weeks to give room for constructive dialogue where political leaders have promised to wade into the issue.
“However, if the issue is not resolved for it to be a win/win situation, the IYC in full force after these two weeks, will shutdown DESOPADEC and Dr Paul Bebenimibo’s office as stated in our communique earlier.
“We, therefore, thank all structures in Council including leaders of Council in Western Zone, as we await for the appropriate time to swing into action if the last of our 3 demands [subvention] is not met.
“Let us be patient,” the statement added.
