2027: Ijaw Youth Council endorses Tinubu, Fubara

…demands clean-up of polluted Ijaw communities

The second-term ambitions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, received a boost on Sunday as the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide endorsed their re-election bids ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The council also urged relevant government agencies to immediately commence comprehensive remediation and clean-up of all polluted Ijaw territories.

The endorsement was contained in a communiqué signed by the IYC President, Dr. Alaye Theophilus, and issued to journalists in Abuja following the council’s National Convention.

Passing a vote of confidence on both leaders, the council stated, “Through a resounding voice affirmation, the Convention unanimously passed a vote of confidence and endorsement on His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, for a second tenure, and His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the 2027 general election.”

The IYC said the decision was based on the leadership qualities demonstrated by Governor Fubara, particularly his commitment to peace in Rivers State as a foundation for sustainable economic growth and development.

According to the council, the governor’s efforts at maintaining stability and promoting inclusive governance have created an enabling environment for progress in the state, adding that continued peace remains critical to addressing developmental challenges in Ijaw communities.

“The maturity he displayed when faced with challenges shows that he is well prepared for leadership. The governor as of day is a living Hero of democracy, an ambassador of peace, a detribalized leader par excellence.

“While Mr President, on his own part, has won the heart of the Ijaw Youths, hence our declaration of total support of his re-election bid in 2027 is solely on his show of genuine love and commitment in making sure that there is peace in Rivers State for our Governor, Sir Siminalaye Fubara, to govern Rivers people in peace.

“Mr. President has told us why he should be trusted, and we have seen it with the way he managed the Rivers State political impasse. Mr. President has given us reasons why the Ijaw Youths should support his re-election bid, and we have seen reasons with him. Hence, the Ijaw Youths hereby declare our unalloyed support for Mr. President come 2027.”

Reviewing the environmental status of the entire South-south region, the council gave another 60-day ultimatum to all relevant agencies to immediately commence full-scale remediation and clean-up of all polluted Ijaw territories and avoid the shutting down of all oil and gas facilities within Ijaw territories

It added that the Ijaw people would no longer tolerate the destruction of their land, waters, livelihoods, and future.

The communique read, “The Convention unequivocally condemned the continued ecological violence, oil pollution, and environmental degradation being inflicted on Ijaw territories through decades of reckless oil and gas exploitation.

“This Convention makes it abundantly clear that the Ijaw people will no longer tolerate the destruction of their land, waters, livelihoods, and future.

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“Upon the expiration of this ultimatum, and in the absence of visible and concrete action, the Ijaw Youth Council shall collectively and decisively shut down all oil and gas facilities operating within Ijaw territories, drawing precedence from the Ogoniland no remediation,  no oil and gas exploration and exploitation approach.”