BREAKING: Azikel Scholarship Dispute Deepens as Tonye Isenah Backs ‘Free Kariyai’ Protest, Wisdom Ikuli Appeals for Restraint
By Passman Akpos
The controversy surrounding the detention of Bayelsa youth activist Kariyai Daukoru and the disputed Azikel aviation scholarship programme has taken a fresh turn after former Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tonye Emmanuel Isenah, declared his support for the planned solidarity march, while political commentator and activist Comrade Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli appealed for calm and dialogue.
The development comes ahead of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Central Zone’s planned “Free Kariyai” solidarity walk scheduled for Monday in Yenagoa.
In an open letter dated July 25, 2026, addressed to Isenah, Ikuli urged the former Speaker to reconsider his participation in the protest, arguing that respected leaders should promote peaceful dialogue rather than escalate tensions
Ikuli said he was initially surprised by reports of the planned march until he saw Isenah’s post on his verified Facebook page indicating he would join the solidarity walk.
According to him, leaders should carefully examine disputes from all sides before publicly aligning with any party.
He described Azikel Group President, Dr. Eruani Azibapu, as a philanthropist whose contributions to Bayelsa youths should not be overlooked, insisting that the aviation training initiative was conceived with good intentions.
Ikuli also alleged that the campaign against Azikel Group had evolved beyond complaints over delayed aviation training into what he described as a coordinated attempt to damage the company’s reputation.
He further argued that Kariyai Daukoru was the first to institute legal proceedings against Dr. Eruani Azibapu, seeking ₦1 billion in damages, before the dispute later expanded into criminal litigation.
While acknowledging that he had earlier criticised Kariyai’s remand in Kuje Correctional Centre and supported resolving the matter outside the courtroom, Ikuli maintained that continued protests and public confrontations would not help achieve lasting peace.
Drawing historical parallels, he warned that statements capable of inflaming public emotions could have unintended consequences and appealed to Isenah to use his influence to encourage reconciliation rather than confrontation.
However, the call for restraint came as the Chairman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Central Zone, Peres Ineife, reaffirmed that the planned solidarity walk would proceed as scheduled.
According to the IYC, participants are expected to assemble at Ekeki Park in Yenagoa by 8:00 a.m. on Monday before embarking on what organisers described as a peaceful procession.
The council said the protest was intended to demonstrate solidarity with Kariyai Daukoru while urging Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri and other stakeholders to facilitate an amicable resolution of the dispute.
The planned protest has continued to receive support on social media, with several individuals announcing their intention to participate.Among them was Rt. Hon. Tonye Emmanuel Isenah, who publicly declared: “I will be part of this solidarity match.”
Meanwhile, another dimension was added to the controversy after Kariyai Daukoru’s wife, Mrs. Boye Joyous Alagoa, released an emotional open letter appealing to Bayelsans and social media activist VeryDarkMan to intervene.
In the statement, she alleged that her husband was wrongfully prosecuted after raising concerns about the aviation scholarship programme, claiming he had been subjected to hardship and detention despite seeking justice through the courts.
She further alleged that Kariyai had been encouraged to abandon his civil action in exchange for fresh promises, insisting that her family would continue pursuing legal redress.
The scholarship dispute has generated widespread debate across Bayelsa State, with supporters of Kariyai calling for his release and alleging injustice, while supporters of Dr. Eruani Azibapu insist the businessman acted in good faith and should not be subjected to public condemnation before the courts determine the facts.
The legal dispute remains before competent courts. Kariyai Daukoru is facing criminal charges relating to alleged cyberbullying and criminal defamation following a petition by Dr. Eruani Azibapu Godbless. Daukoru has denied the allegations. Separately, civil proceedings between the parties are also ongoing.
Under Nigerian law, all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, and the issues raised by both sides remain subject to judicial determination.
