SIR JONATHAN LOKPOBIRI IS A VICTIM OF GRAND CONSPIRACY: IJAW NATION MUST BE CAREFUL THE WAY AND MANNER IT HANDLES THE ABULOMA UGLY INCIDENT BEFORE IT SNOWBALLS
By MOST SENIOR COMRADE WISDOM ONIEKPAR IKULI
I actually wanted to be silent over the ugly incident that happened at Abuloma during the Eastern Zone Election of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), but my conscience and the ideals that I represent dictates otherwise.
I have read many posts and watched several videos including those whose contents revealed and chronicled the issues that culminated to the shooting, killing, maiming, looting and destruction of cars and other valuables in broad day light that shows the forces and brains behind the condemnable act, yet they are churning out countless propaganda to shift the blame to Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri.
I contested the 2023 IYC Presidency with Jonathan Lokpobiri and others. I actually had issues with the process but I accepted the outcome and since then, I have thrown my weight behind the National Executive Council (NEC) and the Council. I do not believe in the retrogressive spirit and mindset of 'it must be me or nobody else'.
By virtue of his position, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri is the CROWN PRINCE OF THE IJAW NATION. So, I wonder why leaders who have enjoyed such privileges including the IYC presidency coming out to the public to set boundaries and no go areas for the President of Council.
How can some persons come out to say that IYC President is not suppose to oversee Zonal Election but was suppose to be an Observer. That is not only shameful, it is also nonsensical. By our Constitutional and Conventional practices, the IYC President presides over all Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) activities whether at the Community, Clan, Zone, Expanded Exco or National Convention. The only exception is at the IYC Mobile Parliament that is always presided over by the Speaker.
I was surprised to read and watch items where the immediate past Zonal Chairman Comrade Tamuno Kpokpo and the National Secretary General Nangi Mao Obu were trying to dictate and set boundaries for the President which is a sacrilege.
Again, which of the propagandists and blackmailers have supported and promoted the Ijaw struggle and Gov. Siminalayi Fubara more than Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri?
We sermonize and sloganize about IZON meaning truth, yet most of our people often shy away from the truth for obvious reasons.
The massacre of Ijaw youths at Abuloma is likened to the case of a witch crying in the night and the child dying in the morning. We saw videos of persons who are supposed to be mentors, role models and sources of hope, inspiration and motivation to multitudes and peace ambassadors who are suppose to protect Ijaw youths not only drumming for war, but also going as far as preparing Egbesu and other charms for their killer squad.
They armed their foot soldiers with sophisticated rifles and weapons to actually go and massacre Ijaw youths that they are suppose to protect. Their agents mowed down innocent, armless, defenseless, talented and highly resourceful Ijaw youths like chickens.
IYC have held several programmes including elections at Okochiri and there were no ugly incidents. Surprisingly, supposed candidates of King Ateke Tom never won any of the positions. During the 2017 IYC National Convention, His Royal Majesty King Ateke Tom hosted thousands of Ijaw youths for one week. People were eating, drinking, dancing and playing together. No one was harassed, beaten or injured.
IYC have organized several events at Ogulagha and Oporoza where Ijaw patriot High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo GOC come from.
No ugly incident has ever been recorded or reported. As a leader and father to all, he prioritizes the life and safety of all Ijaw people.
Surprisingly, no supposed candidate of Tompolo has won in IYC elections at Ogulagha or Oporoza because at all times, he has allowed a transparent process. He always allow the wish of Ijaw people to prevail. He has never attempted to super impose his candidate or will on Ijaw people.
Ijaw people are not only known for unmatched Hospitality especially to visitors and strangers, they also prioritizes the safety and security of strangers including vulnerable people.
So, I can't imagine a situation where a leader who is suppose to be father to all telling the world that one Ijaw youth was his preferred candidate and he prevailed on everyone to deliver his candidate.
Men can use their powers of arms and wealth to attempt to play God. They can even kill and maim but they cannot stop death which is inevitable. They use their arsenals to kill and maim innocent, armless and powerless Ijaw youths, but they too will never escape death when nature and God decrees.
IYC as an embodiment of millions of Ijaw youths all over the world is made up of all characters, thus cannot be devoid of issues including those associated with her electioneering processes but in the midst of the above, notable leaders have always strived to work with all stakeholders to sanitize the Council that has continued to serve as a breeding and grooming gound and platform for Ijaw youths.
IYC presently occupies a pride of place that can only be compared to the Youth League of the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa. Over the years, the Council has continued to serve as the most Vocal Voice of Ijaws, Niger Deltans and other oppressed and marginalized Nigerians.
Thousands of people especially youths have gotten employments, scholarships, acquired skills both home and abroad through the instrumentality of the Council. IYC has done so much for Ijaws and others.
It is therefore sickening and saddening too when persons who are suppose to be leaders doing things that will portray the Council negatively.
Ijaw elders and leaders should be extremely careful as they go about the reconciliation process. It is not right to put blames squarely at the door post of the IYC President but the bitter truth is stirring at our faces. No Ijaw man or woman can claim to be stronger than the Ijaw Nation from where they derive their strength and power. Whoever that is found culpable should be told to his or her face and made to take responsibility for the shameful, dastardly and highly condemnable act.
~~~ MOST SENIOR COMRADE WISDOM ONIEKPAR IKULI
* Former National Director of Mobilization & Chairman, Action Committee Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide
* Former Acting President, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide
* National President
Niger Delta Nonviolence Agitators Forum (NDNAF)
0 Comments