PRINCE LEDUM
Ijaw religious organisation, the Sacred Order of Egbesu Brotherhood, has warned against attempts by desperate politicians to rubbish respected Ijaw institutions especially the Ijaw Youths Council, IYC, Worldwide.
Rising from their meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday, members and leaders of the Brotherhood, described the office of the IYC President as “consecrated” and called on all stakeholders to respect any person occupying the office.
The Leader of Egbesu Brotherhood, Apostle Bodmas Kemepadei, pledged the organisation’s allegiance to all Ijaw traditional stools and the leader of the IYC, Peter Timothy Igbifa.
Kemepadei noted the sacrifices made by Ijaw youths alongside their fathers saying that IYC is a product of Egbesu.
“We wish to recall the memory of Ijaw youths to the painstaking sacrifices of our fathers during the formative days of the IYC. The IYC is a product of Egbesu and it is a sacred institution to us. The office of the President is a consecrated seat and as Ijaw people we will defend that office with honour.
He continued, “The President of the IYC is the commander-in-chief of all Ijaw youths. Any attempt to disparage, demean, desecrate, usurp or treat that office with total disregard by anyone or group of persons will be met with stiff resistance.
“We once again remind Ijaw people that the current president is a product of sleepless nights and collective resolve of Ijaw people after years of disunity, and so usurpers will not be tolerated to thwart this efforts.
Kemepadei called on aggrieved persons to employ internal mechanisms to resolve conflicts in IYC and stop ridiculing the image of the council and trying to publicly demean the office of the council’s president for their pecuniary gains.
“The office of the IYC president is sacred. The International Oil Companies (IOCs), the Federal Government and all other institutions should bear in mind that the words of the president of IYC are power. He commands authority and respect. If he commands, Ijaw nation follows. The political leaders, agencies, ministries, must show respect to the president of council.
“We are in critical times, unity is needed now more than ever, let us learn to forgive ourselves. We call on the IYC President to convene an emergency stakeholders’ meeting to resolve lingering issues in Edo and Bayelsa states. Going forward, Ijaw nation is one and united we will stand.
Kemepadei said the brotherhood deliberated on the refusal of the EFCC(Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) to release the properties of High Chief Oweizidei Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo and called on the commission to obey the rule of law.
“We also wish to call on the federal government to withdraw its attack dog, the EFCC, and caution the agency from withholding properties and assets belonging to High chief Oweizidei Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo.
“We consider this action as a covert plan to once again militarise Ijaw land and deploy military forces to coerce our people to obedience. We wonder why a government which preaches peace would flagrantly disobey the rule of law”, he said.
Kemepadei added that the brotherhood would resist plans by one Henry Binidodougha to act as a Royal Highness to oversee seven communities in Egbema Kingdom.
“The exercise is unknown and alien to the customs and traditions of Ijaw people and will not be accepted”, he said.
