In about three weeks from now, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), the youth wing of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the umbrella body of the Ijaw ethnic nationality of Nigeria, will be having its elections that will usher in a new leadership for the body.

Already about 13 young men have lined up to contest the position of President of the IYC in the election. These range from those known for intellectual prodigy to those who would rather be identified as purveyors of violence, all under the aegis of fighting the Ijaw struggle. Some have already started their consultations and campaigns while others were still ‘getting ready’.

Those that have, so far, emerged candidates for the position of President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), are Daniel Dasimaka, Datolu Sukubo, Emmanuel Bristol-Alagbariya, Emmanuel Opuada Benstowe, Gilpin Okesiyesirima, Iyerifama Jaja, Kennedy Tonjo West, Maobuye Nangi Obu, Mayor Aladiokuma Henry Hart, Sammy George, Telema Pollyn, Timothy Peter Igbifa, and Wabiye Idoniboyeobu. The election will hold on April 10 and 11, 2020 at Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) was founded during the Kaiama Declaration of December 11, 1998 in Kaiama Town in Bayelsa State of Nigeria to pursue and further the interests of Ijaw youths. In its 21 years history, it has had the likes of Felix Tuodolo, Asari Dokubo, Chris Ekiyor, Mieabiye Kuromiema, Oyinfiye Jonjon, Nengi James, Udengs Eradiri, Pereotubo Oweilami, and Eric Omare as Presidents.

The body became highly active during the days of militancy when the agitation for environmental, social and economic justice for the people of the Niger Delta region got to a head, took an international dimension and, with the introduction of armed struggle, forced the Federal Government of Nigeria to begin engaging the leaders of the region. This led to the choice of Dr Goodluck Jonathan as the running mate and eventually Vice President to and later successor to late President Umaru Yar’Adua as President of Nigeria. 

But since the denouement in the struggle, the body seems to have lost traction as to its founding vision as almost all elections into whatever offices whether national, regional or clan-based were riddled with violence. The products of such elections were also less than acceptable over time. Rent seeking, brigandage, political bias, and all forms of unwholesome narrative have succeeded in beclouding the once revered and feared organization. All of these due to the loss of intellectual content to the activities of the body.

It is against this background that close watchers of the forthcoming election think there should be a paradigm shift in terms of getting back the body to its cherished position in the scheme of things in Nigeria. Many are of the view that the orgy of violence that have defaced the integrity of past elections should be discarded, eschewed, and discountenanced. Further to this, there is the preponderance of opinion that the characters parading as candidates should also be watched closely, given the fact that the definition of leadership capacity across the Niger Delta region has mutated from having the character, compassion and mental energy to contemplate, process and purvey ideas that drive broad-based synergy, strategic engagements, sustainable development and real empowerment to having illicitly acquired wealth, access to arms and ammunition to maim and kill perceived opponents, loyalty and closeness to corrupt politicians, and commanding influence over ragtag youths with no future who can mobilize at short notice to cause mayhem wherever, whenever. 

This latter definition or perception needs to be done away with if the IYC is to return to its glory days and regain traction in pursuing and protecting the interests of the youths of the Ijaw nation. From Ilaje to Eket, from Bille to Kalaibiama, from Warri to Queen’s Town, the perception of hopelessness and helplessness owing to the lack opportunities, empowerment and access to the basic needs of the youths pervades. This should be the preoccupation of whoever aspires to be the next president of the Ijaw youths.

Someone has to lead the charge to hold governments of the various Ijaw States, the multinationals doing business in Ijaw land and all other stakeholders accountable in a transparent, accountable, and strategic manner. Someone has to be at the forefront of insisting on the best benefits for the youths of the Niger Delta region from both the public and private sector. The era of reducing Ijaw youths to gun wielding, hungry-looking, wasted, jaded and flustered army at the beck and call of politicians or economic saboteurs needs to come to an abrupt end and this by deliberate visioning, planning, and implementation of workable solutions.  The era of using Ijaw boys and girls for rent seeking from politicians, government agencies and companies with threats of violence should stop. The era of celebrating intellectual feats, innovative ideas, leadership exemplification and political sagacity should be the order of the day.

If this is to happen, the candidates need to also be altruistic to the Ijaw nation and the Nigeria people by doing some self-evaluation. Each of the 13 young men should commit to not be part of the vanguard that would foist a false, fraudulent and fiendish leadership on the youths of the Ijaw ethnic nationality or sustain the already disparaging phenomenon of retrogression, backwardness and lack of ideas that pervades the region. They should do some introspection and be able to determine that where they have nothing but money to spend and arms to wield to clinch the position in order to in turn use the office to seek money in illegal ways, such should demonstrate genuine love for the Ijaw nation by recusing themselves. It would be the undoing of the Ijaw nation where a person elected as President of the apex youth body of the fourth largest ethnic nationality in Nigeria cannot write his own name let alone study and understand the contents of any document but mobilize cult boys and criminal gangs with ease to do his bidding.

The forthcoming election should serve as a threshold and new vista of leadership paradigm in the Niger Delta region. Many are optimistic that this would happen given the array of intellectuals amongst the candidates. Some are widely acclaimed professionals who have distinguished themselves in their chosen professions within and outside Nigeria. Some are successful businessmen who many believe would bring the businesslike approach to the leadership corridor of the Ijaw nation. Some are activists who have been in the trenches slugging it out with companies, government officials, and security agencies to get the best benefits for their people. There are also some that many attest to their lack of capacity to deliver should they emerge the leader of the IYC. This is a downside to the optimism.

Whichever way, the electoral college of the IYC comprising the clan heads from the Eastern, Central and Western zones of the IYC, in whose hands the decision to choose a new President for the IYC lies, have an onerous responsibility in the piercing eyes of posterity to make the best choices for the Ijaw nation with regards to the leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC). Good a thing, this is not an election period in the country that aspirations will be tied to political affiliations. This should be an advantage to the candidates, electoral committee and the voting college. Primordial sentiments, pecuniary considerations and political leanings should not becloud the fact that the Ijaw nation has long overdue been in need of qualitative, responsible and pragmatic leadership. And as they say, fix the IYC, you fix the INC. This is the time and nobody will fix the Ijaw nation but the Ijaws themselves.