As the tenure of the Emmanuel Finecountry led Executive of the Bonny Youth Federation (BYF) winds up, a transition process that will see a new Executive emerge has begun.

This was the outcome of a Congress of the BYF on Friday, October 27, 2023 held at the BYF Secretariat along King Asimini Bypass in Bonny, Rivers State.

The Congress, which had three delegates from each of the 35 chieftaincy houses in Bonny Kingdom, dissolved the incumbent Executive and appointed a five-man Electoral Committee to oversee the transition process.

Those appointed are Victor George-Pepple, Harriet Pepple, Hartley Ezekiel-Hart, Hanson Beresiri, and Happiness Longjohn.

Also, Stephnora Wilcox was inaugurated as Clerk of the Congress. She becomes the first female to hold the position in BYF.

Kristina Reports was yet to ascertain the terms of reference and lifespan of the Electoral Committee as at the time of this report.

The Bonny Youth Federation has recently been enmeshed in leadership crisis with sources alleging a split among its Executive, alongside a general clamour for an account of its finances.

In the heat of the crisis, the Bonny Kingdom Ogbobiri Asawo, in a statement signed by its spokesman, Adolf Pepple, said it was mandated by the Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom to intervene and review the issues germane to the controversies in the Federation.

The Ogbobiri Asawo was yet to make public its findings when text messages were sent to BYF delegates to convene for a Congress on Friday, October 27, 2023 at its Secretariat.

In a telephone chat with Kristina Reports on Saturday, October 28, 2023, Chairman of the Bonny Kingdom Ogbobiri Asawo, Eugene John-JUmbo said the group had concluded its assigned task and sent its report to the Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom.

He declined further comments on the issue, noting that “we have done our job and sent our report to His Majesty. In the circumstance, I cannot say anything more. I appreciate your understanding in this regard”.

Efforts by Kristina Reports to speak with members of the Electoral Committee was yet to yield fruits as those contacted declined speaking, promising to get back when issues regarding the Committee’s mandate have been properly streamlined.

Outgoing Leader of the BYF, Emmanuel Finecountry was elected on Sunday, November 7, 2020 for a two-year tenure which is supposed to elapse on November 6, 2022.

He was elected alongside Osobonye Longjohn; Deputy Leader, Boma Halliday; General Secretary, Augustine Wilcox; Assistant General Secretary, Michael Pepple; Director of Security, Alvin Benstowe; Director of Publicity, and Anthony Banigo; Director of Manpower and Employment Matters.

Others are Favour Attoni; Director of Women Affairs, Ibifubara Allaputa; Director of Environmental Protection and Pollution, Gladden Dan-Jumbo; Director of Culture, Sydney Irimagha; Director of Socials, and Promise Pepple; Director of Finance and Investment.

The Bonny Youth Federation (BYF) is the apex youth body in Bonny Kingdom and representative body of youths in the overarching traditional leadership structure of Bonny Kingdom.