*One person feared dead
12 May 2013, WARRI – THE crisis rocking the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, took a dramatic turn with one person feared dead following gunshot injury received during the constitution amendment convention which took place in Bayelsa state last week.
Mr. Edolo Okubo from Tarakiri clan in Sagbama council area of the state was allegedly severely wounded when security personnel allegedly accompanying the Special Assistant to the President on Amnesty Programme, Chief Kingsley Kuku fired gun shots at the convention venue and disrupted the event.
A press release by the Ijaw Transformation Group, ITG, signed by Comrades Demebide Pele and Abulu S. Graham and made available to newsmen in Warri, Delta State, yesterday, alleged that Chief Kuku came to the venue of the convention with youths chanting war songs with the sole purpose of disrupting the meeting of last Saturday.
According to the statement, confusion started when Alabo Nengi James raised a belated objection that led to severe argument wherein Kingsley Kuku forcefully snatched the microphone from Dr. Felix Tuodolor, pioneer IYC president and Commissioner for Ijaw National Affairs representing the Governor of Bayelsa State who was presiding at the convention and moved for the adjournment of the constitution amendment process.
Chief Kuku’ motion was quickly overruled by Dr. Felix Tuodolor and the special adviser felt slighted and walked out of the Ijaw people with his boys.
The ITG therefore warned that the office of the IYC president must be respected and kept sacrosanct by all no matter his/her position, just as nobody should arrogate the powers and functions of the IYC president to themselves, no matter how highly placed.
The statement further stated that any meeting summoned without appropriate authorization is a nullity, saying that the pioneer president, in consultation with president of council can summon IYC elders Council meeting.
*Emma Arubi
