Protests rocked Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, on Tuesday, following the election and declaration of Mr. Udengs Eradiri as the President of the umbrella body of the Ijaw Youth Council worldwide.
As early as 8am, the protesters, comprising contenders and aggrieved youths, took to the streets, alleging manipulation and widespread irregularities.
The IYC election took place at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex and had representatives of youth groups from the five states that make up the Ijaw – Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Edo and Ondo, present.
The protesters alleged that the delegates’ list was allegedly altered and officials of the state government deployed soldiers and riot policemen to lock the original delegates outside to prevent them from voting.
It was noticed that due to the protest and the tension the poll generated, members of the electoral committee were secretly moved out of the Sports Complex venue at 10am under heavy security.
Those contenders who were also claiming victory in the election were Elvis Donkemezuo, Jonathan Lokpobiri, Tariela Femowei, and Nengi Ikiba.
They said they would not accept Eradiri, insisting that he (Eradiri) was “imposed” but not elected.
They, therefore, declared a parallel national executive council, claiming that they had been “duly elected and winners in separate elections held outside the venue of the IYC election.”
During the protests, which spread to the East-West Road, a major road that links the South-South to other parts of the country, riot policemen and soldiers had hectic time at controlling the protesters.
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