IYC Heads for Historic Split as Rival Camps Reject Douye Diri Reconciliation, Fix Separate Conventions

By Passman Akpos

YENAGOA, BAYELSA — The leadership crisis rocking the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has taken a dramatic turn as rival factions appear set to conduct separate electoral processes following the collapse of reconciliation efforts spearheaded by Douye Diri.

Fresh indications of a widening division emerged after one faction, through its National Electoral Committee (ELECO), announced the venue and timetable for the 2026 National Elective Convention, while the outgoing IYC President, Alaye Tari Theophilus, simultaneously directed another electoral committee to resume and conclude the process for electing the organization’s 10th National Executive Council (NEC).

In a public notice, the National Electoral Committee announced that the 2026 National Elective Convention will hold at The Pavilion, Toru-Ndoro Town, Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, from July 10 to July 11, 2026.

The committee stated that delegates and stakeholders can access the convention venue through the Ekeremor Local Government Secretariat waterfront in Bayelsa State or via Torugbene Community in Delta State, where boats will transport participants to Toru-Ndoro Town.

According to the convention timetable, Friday, July 10, has been reserved for the arrival and accreditation of delegates, while voting is scheduled to commence at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

The notice was signed by Dr. Charles German Ikimi, Chairman of the Electoral Committee, and Mr. Micah A. Micah, Secretary, alongside other committee members.

In a separate statement, Dr. Alaye Tari Theophilus announced that he had directed the National Electoral Committee led by Comrade Christopher Bidi to immediately resume and conclude the electoral process for the emergence of the 10th National Executive Council.

The outgoing IYC President explained that the decision followed the breakdown of reconciliation efforts initiated by Governor Douye Diri, whom he described as the Governor-General of the Ijaw Nation.

According to him, the electoral process had earlier been suspended out of respect for Governor Diri’s appeal for peace and unity, giving both factions sufficient time to negotiate a common ground and organize a unified convention.

Dr. Theophilus disclosed that his faction proposed a reconciliation framework that included equal sharing of delegates between both camps, the merger of the two electoral committees into a single committee, and the conduct of a transparent election open to all qualified aspirants.

However, he alleged that the proposals were rejected by the opposing faction and some elders.

He further claimed that he was offered financial inducement to abandon the electoral process but declined.

“I rejected that proposal outright because the future, unity and integrity of the Ijaw Youth Council cannot be negotiated for personal gain,” he said.

Despite expressing disappointment over the failed reconciliation process, Dr. Theophilus commended Governor Douye Diri and several respected Ijaw leaders, including Asari Dokubo, Ateke Tom, Alabo James Nengi, Dr. Felix Tuodolo, Hon. Kingsley Kuku and Elder Weris Digifa for their efforts to restore peace within the organization.

He maintained that while he remained committed to reconciliation, there was no longer any justification for postponing the election after all peaceful options had been exhausted.

He consequently directed the electoral committee under Comrade Christopher Bidi to conclude all outstanding processes and conduct the election in accordance with the IYC Constitution.

The latest development has heightened uncertainty over the future of the council, with indications that the rival camps may proceed with separate electoral exercises, raising fresh concerns over the possibility of producing parallel leaderships.

The unfolding crisis comes despite Governor Douye Diri’s recent intervention, which had raised hopes of ending months of division within the foremost Ijaw youth organization.

As earlier reported by Tarakirivoice, Governor Diri convened a high-level peace meeting at the Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, bringing together the two rival IYC leaders—Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr and Dr. Alaye Tari Theophilus.

During the meeting, the governor appealed to both camps to embrace reconciliation and jointly organize a Unity Elective Convention that would produce a widely accepted leadership for the council.

“I am not endorsing anybody. Let the best hand, someone who has the Ijaw nation at heart, be given the opportunity to serve the Ijaw nation,” Governor Diri had declared.

Political observers believe the apparent collapse of the reconciliation process and the emergence of separate electoral arrangements could further deepen divisions within the Ijaw Youth Council, unless fresh intervention succeeds in bringing both factions back to the negotiating table before the scheduled conventions.