Youth leaders from Ibusa in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State have called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to urgently intervene in what they describe as growing political interference in the community’s youth leadership process.
Speaking during a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Asaba, the youths led by Comrade Vincent Olimmah, Secretary of the Ibusa Youth Council, expressed frustration over the recent suspension of a planned youth election and the alleged imposition of a caretaker committee without due process.
Comrade Olimmah, who is the secretary of the youth body, accused the State Commissioner for Youths of working with some forces in the area, thereby fueling division in Ibusa by supporting actions that undermine the community’s youth democratic processes.
“We appeal to our dear governor not to allow the Commissioner for Youths to cause unrest in Ibusa. Ibusa is already pleased with the Governor. Only the road he constructed from Okpanam to Ibusa is enough reason for our continued support. So, no matter the lies told to him, the governor should know that we stand with him,” Olimmah said.
The youths narrated how, following the expiration of the last youth leadership’s tenure, an election committee was duly constituted and preparations for a new election began. The process, they said, was designed to ensure credible and educated representation, with strict criteria and security arrangements already in place.
However, according to Olimmah, just days before the scheduled election, they were asked to suspend the process until after the local government elections, a request they accepted in good faith.
“After the LG elections, we resumed our plans and were even commended by the chairman of the local government and the Obuzo of Ibusa. But suddenly, we received an invitation to a palace meeting, which turned out to be a stage-managed affair.
“We were not allowed to speak, and it was announced that the election was suspended despite having completed 90% of the preparations,” he said.
The Ibusa youths said they were shocked when a new committee was imposed, with 60% of the original members removed without explanation.
When they cited their constitution in protest, they were told a new committee would be inaugurated within days, prompting them to seek legal redress through a court injunction.
Olimmah also recounted how, while the case was still in court, the Commissioner for Youths visited Ibusa and assured them that he would ensure the process remained fair and free from external influence.
However, shortly after, a group of individuals, some of whom the youths claim were not even from Ibusa, were inaugurated as a caretaker committee after reportedly claiming the court case had been withdrawn.
“These individuals were taken to the Obuzo under the pretext of paying homage, and they used that moment to select a so-called interim committee. The next day, they were inaugurated.
“We immediately notified the Commissioner and reminded him that these individuals were not recognized by us or by the law. But to our dismay, we later saw photos of them with the Commissioner on social media,” Olimmah lamented.
The youths emphasized that they hold no grudge against the Obuzo of Ibusa, stating that his involvement was merely procedural due to the legal suit.
“We are not in conflict with our father, the Obuzo. His name only came up in the suit because, legally, the palace must be included. Our only issue is with those attempting to suppress the will of Ibusa youths for political gain,” Olimmah clarified.
He warned that while the youths have remained calm and law-abiding, continued provocation could spark unrest. He urged peace-loving individuals, institutions, and traditional leaders to intervene before the situation escalates.
“Our people are angry, and many want to take to the streets. But we’ve insisted on peace and legal action. Still, we can’t keep asking for calm if these injustices continue.
“We urge the Governor to hear directly from credible leaders in Ibusa and consult the Ibusa Community Development Union (ICDU) to uncover the truth,” he noted.
The Ibusa youth group reaffirmed their commitment to a lawful resolution and vowed to resist any attempt to impose leadership on them through illegitimate means.
