IYC ELECTS OKOTETE, AYIBAKURO, AS NEW NEC PLEDGES UNITY AHEAD OF JULY 22 HANDOVER By Chris Mark
IYC ELECTS OKOTETE, AYIBAKURO, AS NEW NEC PLEDGES UNITY AHEAD OF JULY 22 HANDOVER
By Chris Mark
The Ijaw Youth Council, IYC Worldwide, has elected a new National Executive Council at its 10th Elective Convention in Yenagoa, with leaders pledging unity, accountability, and a clear handover date of July 22, 2026.
The convention at the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan Cultural Centre ended months of factional disputes, with delegates describing the process as “credible, peaceful and transparent.”
President-elect Dr. Doubra Okotete said the 10th NEC will be guided by past leadership and is ready to make the Ijaw nation proud.
He paid tribute to past leaders: “President of Council Sir, Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr, the founding president of Council, Dr. Felix Tuodolo, our prime leader, Sir T.K. Ogoriba.”
“I also want to thank all of my team for this rare privilege given to us by the Ijaw nation for finding us worthy to pilot the affairs of the Ijaw Council in the next three years.”
Okotete also appreciated the outgoing leadership and Bayelsa State Government: “Dr. Alaye Theophilus-led leadership, thank you for giving us this understanding. The Ijaw nation is also proud of you.
Our Governor, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Douye Diri, and the leadership of the state. You have put in everything, every resource, in ensuring today the Ijaw nation is united.”
On his mandate, he said: “Be rest assured, this 10th NEC, we have learnt through these processes. Be rest assured, we will be guided by their leadership and collectively, we will not let you down. We will make the Ijaw nation proud. Thank you for giving us this opportunity. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
A strong voice for Ijaw women, Comrade Ebi kutu Ayibakuro emerged National Woman Leader after defeating three other contestants, including three former Zonal Woman Leaders.
Her words “By providence and by the grace of God I won this election because they saw my competence. They knew that I will deliver on the job as National Woman Leader because as Zonal Woman Leader I did deliver on my mandate,” she said.
She pledged to work with her co-contestants: “The office of the National Woman Leader is very peculiar. So whoever decides to take that hand of fellowship, we are going to work together.”
Ayibakuro said her mandate is to be “a very strong voice for the Ijaw women,” citing her advocacy in Bayelsa where female youth leaders now serve as LGA directors.
“In the bigger platform as National Woman Leader, I know that I am going to do more. That is my campaign promise to my people.”
She commended ELECO: “The ELECO has done a very wonderful job with the guidance of the Nightmare and the elders and leaders of the council. So I tremendously commend ELECO.”
Outgoing IYC leader Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri announced the official handover date and charged the new NEC to prioritize unity.
“We cannot swear them in now because my tenure is still running. Our tenure by our constitution will expire on the twenty second of July twenty six. Therefore this brand new leadership will be formally inaugurated and sworn in to take over from us on the twenty second of July twenty six.”
He added: “Unity has come. We want to move forward and that responsibility is with the youth. That is why we have made all the sacrifice to make sure that we all speak in one voice.”
Also speaking, Dr. Alaye Theophilus warned against division: “So as you are taking over the mantle of leadership, it is our prayer that we put Ijaw first in all you do. Don’t make moves that will create defensive tendencies, but rather unite us more.
There is no longer a leadership of ‘Alaye’ or ‘Lokpobiri’ anymore. You are the leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide. Please carry everybody along.”
Western Zone delegate Godswill Doubra described the convention as historic after factions reconciled.
“This is one of the greatest things that has happened to us in the annals of our history. All of these belligerent parties come together as one big happy family. They consented to peace, consented to unity. We are having a united front once again.”
“This election is one of the most credible elections. The system is credible. Even those who lost are accepting the outcome of the election. Generally, the election is credible, peaceful and transparent.”
He dismissed claims of interference: “In this process, anybody that will win, you cannot say it was ‘Asari’s candidate’ that won. It is the delegates.”
Chairman, Dr. Charles Kimi, certified the following winners: Dr. Doubra Okotete – President, Engr. Aladiokuma Henry Hart – Deputy President, Dr. Igbeta Ayibakuro Itari – Secretary, Johnny Torudonkumor Assistant Secretary, Omaghomi Olu-Derimon – Director of Mobilization Imomotimi James- Assistant Director of Mobilization, Victor Ibaningo – Spokesman, Frank Akenfa- Financial Secretary, Ibiso Harry – Treasurer Meshach Numontei Sintei- Legal Adviser Ebi Kutu Ayibakuro- Woman Leader
With reconciliation achieved and a transition date fixed, the 10th NEC will take office on *July 22, 2026*, with a mandate to unite the council and advance Ijaw interests.
