Tension is mounting in Igbuzo, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, as youths have raised alarm over an alleged plot by the local government chairman and the Delta State Commissioner for Youths Development to interfere in their upcoming leadership election.
The youths have accused the Oshimili North Local Government Chairman, Hon. Chief Innocent Esewezie, and the Commissioner for Youths, Barr. Thankgod Trakiriowei, of attempting to impose a candidate on them by manipulating the election process. In response, they have vowed to resist any external interference, insisting that the Commissioner has no authority to conduct their election.
To express their grievances, the youths are planning a peaceful protest from Ibusa to the Delta State Government House. According to them, the alleged interference aims to destabilize the leadership structure of the Ibusa Youth Council.
During a press briefing, the outgoing Chairman of the Ibusa Youth Council, Comrade Ifeanyi Asiodu, called on Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to intervene and caution both officials to prevent unrest in the community.
As part of their protest, the youths have displayed placards with messages such as “Ibusa Youths Losing Confidence in Innocent Esewezie,” “Enough is Enough,” “Hon. Innocent Esewezie, Stop Destabilizing Your Community,” and “Our Future Will No Longer Be Toyed With.”
In a petition submitted to the governor and the Delta State House of Assembly, the youths expressed their concerns, stating: “We humbly write to submit a matter of grave concern to your elevated office for your routine efficient, dispassionate, and proactive action. We wish to bring to your notice an attempt by disgruntled members of the Ibusa Youths Council in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State (allegedly) sponsored by Hon. Innocent Esewezie to sow strife, instigate violence, and unsettle the peace within Ibusa Community.
“We humbly request you to look into this report and call for a meeting to help resolve this issue amicably, so as to avoid civil unrest in Ibusa. Furthermore, we respectfully request you use the necessary government machinery to investigate the activities of Hon. Innocent Esewezie and curb his excesses in the community because when a system is overplayed, it will definitely boomerang.”
The youths warned that failure to address their grievances could lead to a major crisis in the community, stressing that they would not allow any form of illegality in their election.