Ekerefe Commends Diri’s IYC Peace Initiative, Calls for Inclusive Reconciliation Ahead of Unity Convention
Yenagoa – A former National Spokesman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe, has commended Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for initiating efforts to resolve the leadership crisis that has plagued the apex Ijaw youth body for nearly three years, describing the intervention as “better late than never.”
Ekerefe, however, urged the governor to expand the ongoing peace process, insisting that the crisis extends beyond the disagreement between IYC President, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri, and Dr. Alaye Theophilus.
In a statement, the former IYC spokesman applauded Governor Diri for responding to calls by concerned Ijaw leaders to intervene in the prolonged dispute but expressed concern over what he described as the selective nature of invitations to the recent peace meeting held in Yenagoa.
According to him, several key stakeholders directly connected to the crisis were excluded from the meeting, raising questions about the inclusiveness of the reconciliation process.
Ekerefe identified the unresolved rift between the IYC President and the Secretary-General, Maobuye Nangi Obu, as one of the major issues requiring urgent attention. He noted that the disagreement has effectively rendered the office of the Secretary-General inactive for more than a year and throughout much of the current administration.
He argued that the prolonged dispute between Lokpobiri and Nangi Obu has adversely affected the administration of the council, warning that any peace initiative that fails to address the matter risks leaving the root causes of the crisis unresolved.
The former IYC spokesman also referenced the 2024 Abuloma incident, which he said further deepened the division between both leaders, noting that the matter remains largely unresolved. He encouraged Governor Diri to incorporate that aspect of reconciliation into the ongoing peace efforts, stressing that it is not too late to do so.
Ekerefe called on all parties involved in the crisis to demonstrate sincerity by placing the interest of the Ijaw nation above personal ambitions. He observed that previous reconciliation efforts failed because vested interests overshadowed genuine conflict resolution.
As preparations continue for a unity convention, he cautioned stakeholders against allowing personal interests to undermine the process, emphasizing that only fairness, sincerity and credibility can guarantee lasting peace.
He also questioned the removal of the portrait of the immediate past IYC President, Dcn. Peter Igbifa, from the council’s gallery of former presidents while the portraits of Barr. Eric Omare and Barr. Peretubo Oweilaemi, who both laid claim to the presidency during the same period, remain on display.
“How do we explain this anomaly to the world? It is ridiculous and totally unacceptable. If it is an error, it should be corrected in the interest of peace and institutional credibility. We should not pretend not to know the legitimate occupant,” he said.
Ekerefe further alleged that some individuals had continued to benefit from the prolonged crisis, warning that the disputes would persist unless those leading the reconciliation process approached the task with fairness, sincerity and credibility.
“We all want peace because peace is priceless, but to achieve that peace we must come clean. Our personal interests should be buried,” he stated.
He added that with barely three weeks remaining in the tenure of the current leadership, the greatest legacy it could leave behind would be a peaceful transition that reflects the unity, dignity and collective interest of the Ijaw nation.
Ekerefe nevertheless commended Lokpobiri and Theophilus for embracing Governor Diri’s peace initiative and urged both leaders to make the necessary compromises to ensure a smooth transition as the tenure of the current IYC leadership comes to an end.
