News

IYC President Talks Tough, Warns Edo Ijaw Marginalisation Will No Longer Be Tolerated

Published

5 years ago

July 30, 2020

The newly elected President of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Worldwide, Comrade
Timothy Peter Igbifa says the long marginalisation of Ijaw people in Edo State will no longer be tolerated.

The President who was in a thank you tour to the Ijaws in the state after his election, expressed anger that inspite the population and being oil producing areas, the Ijaws are yet being marginalised and treated as strangers in the state they co-owned.

He noted that even before his election, what he told everyone during his electioneering was that his major cause will be the liberation of the Ijaws in Edo and Ondo states.

IYC leaders seated with the 8th President (4th left) at the thank-you meeting.

Stating that the Ijaw people are one worldwide, the 8th IYC President noted that ill-treatment to one Ijaw man is an ill-treatment to all, and will be fought by all Ijaws worldwide.

REAS ALSO: IYC, NDDC Disagree Over N3.8bn Non-existing Contracts

He said, ” I am particularly passionate about the Ijaws in Edo and Ondo states axis particularly the Edo Ijaws and how they are being marginalised and ill-treated. Marginalisation of the Ijaws in Edo State will soon come to an end. We cannot be producing the crude oil and still be backward.

” The Council will stand by Ijaws ìn Edo State, and every form of oppression would not be tolerated. The battle for your liberation will not be exchanged for any coin. The attitude of Edo State Government towards Ijaws in the state has to change. In hunger, in plenty, we will not be moved until will make change.

“We will walk with Edo State Ijaw that never will marginalisation be allowed. An ill-treatment to one Ijaw man in anywhere is an ill-treatment to the entire Ijaw nation, we will not tolerate that.”

Speaking on the abandoned East-West road which has become dead trap to commuters, the 8th IYC President said the Council will soon issue a statement with ultimatum to rehabilitate the road, adding that failure to meet the ultimatum will lead to shut down.

While noting that Niger Delta resources are used in constructing flyover bridges and other good roads in Abuja and other states outside the region, the number one Ijaw youth noted that the entire Niger Delta can no afford to be having enough at disposal yet live in scarcity.

” The first thing I said when I emerged winner at the election was that the deplorable condition of the East-West road would be addressed. You cannot be taking much from us and leave us in hunger and scarcity, that will not be allowed! We are going to make sure East-West road is rehabilitated.

” If you have lost trust in the Council, please this is the time to regain trust in the Council. It is no longer business as usual.
I want to assure you that the Council is back at its feet! On Kiama declaration I stand.

Members from the 5 clans in Edo State seated at the meeting

“I will very soon issue a statement with ultimatum for the rehabilitation of the East-West road, and it shall be followed up. And after the ultimatum and nothing is done, the authorities will see the other side of us,” he said.

Earlier, welcoming the 8th IYC President to Edo State, Chief Don Ben, an IYC leader expressed confidence in the President, just he said the number one youth will fight the cause of the Ijaws in Edo State and take them to their promise land.

Describing Igbifa as a dogged, resilience and bold fighter, Ben said electing Igbifa to lead the entire Ijaw youths was never a mistake, adding that result will soon be seen by all.

News

Anambra Poll: CDD Releases Post-election Findings, Recommends improved INEC’s Operational Capacity

Published

2 hours ago

November 9, 2025

Editor

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), has released its post-election findings on the just concluded Anambra governorship election, recommending improvement in INEC’s operational capacity, prioritised voter education, issue-based campaigns, amongst others.

In a post-election press briefing held in Akwa on Sunday, the CDD said the “2025 Anambra election reveals that Nigeria’s electoral challenges are deeply linked to wider governance failures; weak institutions, elite dominance, economic hardship, insecurity, and lack of accountability continue to shape voter behaviour and electoral outcomes.”

In the post-election statement signed by Dr. Dauda Garuba, Director, CDD, and Professor Victor Adetula, Chair,
CDD-West Africa Election Analysis Centre, recommended that the “ongoing electoral reforms must target improving INEC’s operational capacity through timely funding, decentralised planning, and consistent communication.

“Such operational issues include logistics, mandatory real-time result publication via IReV, early voting for essential personnel and adequate personnel training.”

The CDD, while urging political parties to prioritise voter education and conduct issue-based campaigns, the organisation urged politicians to uphold internal democracy and adhere to transparent campaign financing.

“Elections cannot be treated as temporary security events. The government at all levels must develop a more sustainable security architecture that addresses root causes and provides year-round safety for residents.

“Only then can we safeguard electoral processes without relying on massive deployments that strain national resources and offer no long-term protection.”

The CDD, while decrying the prevalent of vote trading in the election, said conscious steps must be taken to discourage this “through deliberate efforts to deliver good governance while promoting civic education across all strata of society to discourage transactional politics.”

“The National Orientation Agency must take centre stage on this. Ongoing reforms of the electoral act must take into consideration the need to arrest and prosecute electoral offenders.”

The CDD said that “as the country prepares for the 2026 off-cycle elections and the 2027 general elections, these reforms must be prioritised.”

It added: “Nigeria’s democratic survival depends not just on voting but on the strength of the institutions and the governance practices that surround it.”

News

UPDATED: INEC Declares Soludo Winner Of Anambra Guber Poll

Published

10 hours ago

November 9, 2025

Editor

The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has been declared the winner of the Saturday, November 8, 2025, Anambra State governorship election by the Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Edoba Omoregie.

Soludo, who polled a total of 422,664 votes, defeated his closest rival, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Nicholas Ukachukwu, who scored 99,445 votes, while the candidate of the Young Progressives Party, Sir Paul Chukwuma, came third with 37,753 votes.

According to INEC, a total of 16 candidates from various political parties participated in the election.

The state had 2,788,864 registered voters, out of which 598,229 were accredited. A total of 595,298 votes were cast, while 11,244 votes were rejected across the 21 local government areas.

From the results announced, Soludo of APGA won in all 21 local government areas of the state in a landslide victory.

Announcing the results at the INEC headquarters in Awka on Sunday, Omoregie said, “The number of registered voters was 2,788,864, while accredited voters were 598,229. The total valid votes stood at 584,054, rejected votes were 11,244, and the total votes cast amounted to 595,298.”

He added, “After collating the results as tallied into Form EC8E, it is now my privilege to declare the figures each candidate scored according to their political parties.

“There were a few areas affected by incidents, leading to cancellations in some wards across Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka South, and Onitsha South LGAs, amounting to 10,481 affected votes. However, the margin of lead between the top candidates did not affect the overall outcome of the election.

“I, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, Returning Officer for the 2025 Anambra State Governorship Election, hereby declare that the election was peaceful. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, having scored 422,664 votes — the highest number of valid votes cast and having satisfied the requirements of the law — is hereby declared the winner and returned elected.”

Breakdown of results:

Total registered voters: 2,788,864

Total accredited voters: 598,229

Total valid votes: 584,054

Rejected votes: 11,244

Total votes cast: 595,298

Votes by political parties:
A – 224
AA – 1,145
AAC – 292
ADC – 8,208
APC – 99,445
APGA – 422,664
APM – 892
APP – 73
BP – 126
LP – 10,576
NNPP – 525
NRM – 36
PDP – 1,401
SDP – 241
YPP – 37,753
ZLP – 453

News

BREAKING: Soludo Sweeps Anambra Guber Election

Published

13 hours ago

November 9, 2025

Editor

The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the Anambra governorship election, Prof. Charles Soludo has been declared winner of the poll.

Returning Officer of the election, Prof. Edoba declared Soludo winner having polled
422,664 votes to defeat his closest opponent.

More details coming