The President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Theophilus Alaye, has issued a strong warning to aspirants contesting various positions within the council, urging them to view leadership as a call to service rather than an opportunity for financial gain. Alaye delivered this caution during the 2026 pre-elective convention held on Saturday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Delegates from Across Zones
He noted that delegates at the convention were drawn from the Central, Eastern, and Western zones, as well as the Abuja and Lagos chapters of the council. The IYC president emphasized that his tenure would conclude on July 19, 2026, underscoring the necessity of initiating the transition process by constituting the National Electoral Committee (NECOM) to oversee the emergence of the 10th National Executive Committee (NEC).
Call for Transparency
Alaye expressed optimism that the inauguration of NECOM members would facilitate a smooth electoral process, urging them to uphold transparency and fairness throughout. He warned against imposing excessive financial demands on aspirants, stressing that the process should not devolve into an expensive contest akin to governorship elections.
“The aspirants are Ijaw youths offering themselves to serve the Ijaw nation and not to make money,” Alaye stated. He added that reducing the cost of contesting would enable those elected to serve with dignity and in the collective interest of the Ijaw people.
Pipeline Surveillance Decentralization
In addition, Alaye reiterated his call for the decentralization of the oil pipeline surveillance contract, arguing that such a move would promote peace, equity, stability, and development in the Niger Delta region.
