IJAW YOUTH COUNCIL 6TH NATIONAL CONVENTION- MONDAY 28TH OCTOBER 2013. AN OBSERVER REPORT From: GODSPOWER IGWE, Rivers State Coordinator-Youth Alliance on Constitutional Review & Electoral Reform (YACORE). VENUE FOR ACCREDITATION: Ijaw House, “Izon Wari”, Yenagoa, Bayelsa. COMMENCEMENT: 9.30am. PROCESS: Four Zones were accredited; Lagos Zone, Central Zone, Western Zone and Eastern Zone. Lagos Zone-10 Delegates Central Zone- 30 Delegates Western Zone- 30 Delegates Eastern Zone- 30 Delegates A total of Hundred (100) Delegates only were duly certified and verified for voting. Accreditation ended 12.01pm VENUE FOR VOTING: Bayelsa Sports Complex, Yenagoa -Arrival of Delegates from Accreditation Centre, viz Ijaw House -Arrival of Local and International Observers -Introduction of Guests; notable past and present leaders of IYC -The full presence of the Security Agencies, DSS, Police, NSCD, Medical Team, etc OPENING REMARKS: The Chairman of ELECO, Sunny Diritolofari recognized the presence of two prominent IYC figures who were physically in attendance; Dr. Chris Ekiyor, a current LGA Chairman in Bayelsa state and Dr. Felix Tuadolor, a serving member of Seriake Dickson’s cabinet. Some contending issues were trashed. The major one was the dissolution of all standing committees previously existing before the election proper. The ELECO was not dissolved. VOTING: Voting began with Lagos Zone. 10 Ballot Papers were issued to each Delegate. All voting exercise ended at sharp 5.40pm Nigerian Time. The Voting event was so smooth and seamless. COUNTING OF VOTES: Out of the ten (10) ballot boxes, only three were successfully counted and this counting was done by Mr. Nengi James, a member of ELECO, who was observed to be consistent at every moment of the electioneering process calling on Ijaw Youths to expect the best from the whole exercise. The successfully counted and declared offices were those of: Legal Adviser, Woman Leader and Director of Mobilization. These offices have been won and declared. CHALLENGES: These came up when Nengi James stepped down for another ELECO Official to come up for the continuous counting of the ballot papers for the office of Spokesman. Two things went on interposingly; money was visibly been shared in the voting hall, a little distraction, we have been informed the money was brought in by a serving Commissioner, who was physically present at the event, meanwhile, ballot papers were observed from the counting that ensued as over and above 100 pieces; a far cry from the legally expected votes. This was observed with the offices of the Spokesman and Secretary. FINDINGS: The Ijaw Youths did not wait till the counting of other offices again since a fallacy of hasty conclusion was done by judging that those of President, Deputy and the rest will be subject to multiple votes too if it has been observed from those of Spokesman and Secretary. CONCLUSION: Ijaw Youth Council at their 6th National Convention succeeded in electing three leaders, Legal Adviser, Woman Leader and Director of Mobilization. Other exercise that would have led to the counting and declaration of the remaining offices was brought to a halt because of the hastily adjudged multiple voting. GODSPOWER IGWE-YOUTH ALLIANCE ON CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW & ELECTORAL REFORM (YACORE). “At Youth Elections, if politicians encourage themselves to let the Youths be, there will be the challenge for the Youths to think on how to be responsible to themselves”. _Godspower Igwe_
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 03:01:04 +0000
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