Politics
2023: IYC WantsYouths As Presidential Running Mates
Ijaw youths under the aegis of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), on Monday, said that they had written to the leading political parties to pick some eligible youths as running mates of their presidential candidates for the 2023 general election.
The council’s national spokesman, Ebilade Ekerefe, who disclosed this at a press conference to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, listed the youths to include, Dr Ibrahim Bello Dauda from Borno State, Chief Igho Charles Sanomi (Delta State) and Herbert Wigwe (Rivers State).
He said the three of them were eminently qualified to occupy the vice presidency and contribute to national development, stressing that they were chosen after due consultations by youths from the Niger Delta region and the other five geo-political zones.
According to him, the leading political parties would benefit from the choice of the suggested three names because “youths have the largest percentage ratio of the electorate and are most affected by the type of leadership produced.”
Ekerefe said, “We have written to leading political parties on the need to allow youthful personalities as Vice Presidential candidates. We have many youths, including Dr. Ibrahim Bello Dauda from Borno State (APC), Chief Igho Charles Sanomi, a business mogul from Agbor, Delta State, Mr Hebert Wigwe, a CEO of one of Nigerian’s leading banks from Rivers State, young qualified governors, among many others in the country.
“We urge the existing political parties and their standard flagbearers to embrace a running mate between the age of 50 years and below. A running mate that has the acceptance of millions of youths in the country. A detribalised youthful running mate that is competent, in spite of religious beliefs.”
He said that Ijaw youths would only support a political party and its presidential flagbearer who demonstrate sincere commitment to true federalism, restructuring, review of the current revenue sharing formula, among other issues of concern to the council.
Ekerefe, however, raised the alarm over what he described as “strange movements of suspected herdsmen in some riverine communities in the Niger Delta region.”
He called on security agencies to be alive to their duties while warning indigenes of the Ijaw communities to be on red alert and avoid a repeat of the recent violent killings in Owo in Ondo State.
The IYC also condemned the brutal attack and killing of worshippers at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, and called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Service Chiefs to rejig the security architecture of the country.
The council described the alleged poor handling of rising wanton killings and insecurity in the country as shameful and pathetic despite the series of security meetings between the president and the security chiefs.
During a press conference held in Owerri, the coalition called the campaign a “dangerous and shameful display” designed to distract the public from the governor’s performance in office.
The CSOs directly linked the Greater Imo Initiative (GII) —the group that made the allegations on September 4, 2025—to Governor Uzodimma, describing the group as his “mouthpiece and attack dog.”
“Every word spoken against INEC was spoken on his behalf.
“By falsely alleging that Professor Yakubu has an alliance with Dr. Amadi to compromise the 2027 elections, Uzodimma has not only maligned a man of proven integrity but also assaulted the very foundation of our democracy”, said Dr Agbo Frederick, speaking for the coalition.
The coalition described Professor Yakubu as a “beacon of electoral professionalism” and called the attempt to soil his reputation “defamatory and a national security risk.”
They also defended Dr. Amadi, a “respected development scholar,” stating that the governor’s accusations were “laughable, desperate, and dangerous.”
The CSOs see the motive behind the campaign as an attempt to “silence the dissent, intimidate the opposition, and divert attention from the governor’s abysmal record in office.”
The coalition issued four key demands to Governor Uzodimma: An immediate retraction of the false and defamatory allegations against Professor Mahmood Yakubu and Dr. Chima Amadi.
- A public apology to both men within seven days, to be published in at least three national newspapers and broadcast on major television networks.
- An end to diversionary tactics and proxy propaganda.
- A renewed focus on governance, including addressing insecurity, unemployment, and poverty in Imo State.
The CSOs warned that failure to comply would force them to “review our position with a view to seeking legal redress from Governor Uzodimma for defamation, false accusation, and reckless endangerment of lives.”
“Governor Uzodimma must be reminded that he did not find himself in the seat of power to chase shadows.
“We call on all Nigerians to reject Uzodimma’s diversionary antics as they are nothing short of desperate plots by a government terrified of accountability”, the statement concluded.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC expressed concern that preventing the senator from resuming her legislative duties violates democratic principles and disenfranchises her constituents.
“The suspension, having been imposed by the Senate and not a court of law, has lapsed. Any further attempt to prevent her from resuming is therefore both illegal and morally indefensible,” Mallam Abdullahi said.
The party noted that denying Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan access to the chamber silences the voice of the people who elected her, adding that the withdrawal of her salary, aides, and office access during the suspension amounted to excessive punishment.
The ADC also criticised the Clerk of the National Assembly for declining to process her resumption on grounds that the matter was before the courts, arguing that the Clerk’s role was administrative, not judicial.
“Administrative caution must not translate into complicity. When the administrative machinery becomes hostage to political interests, the institution itself is diminished,” the party stated.
Highlighting that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan is one of only four women in the 109-member Senate, the ADC warned that the handling of the case sends a discouraging signal about gender inclusion in Nigerian politics.
“Any action that resembles gender intimidation of the few women in the Senate would only discourage women’s participation. Nigeria cannot claim to be a democracy while excluding half of its population from key decision-making spaces,” Mallam Abdullahi added.
The ADC insisted that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan be allowed to resume her seat immediately, stressing that the matter was about more than one individual.
“What is at stake here is not just one Senate seat, but the integrity of our democracy itself,” the party said.