Ibusa youths council are not pawns for political manipulation – Otu-Odogwu

By Ajuwa Victor

The Ibusa Youths Council a sociopolitical organization in Nigeria, representing the interest of the Ibusa people activism and agitation for the rights of the Ibusa people, which emerged due to longstanding grievances over economic marginalization and political disenfranchisement of the largest community group in the Oshimii North Local Government Area of Delta State, has been infiltrated by political interest, self seeking and personal gains, by those entrusted with the duty of protecting the Ibusa interest against intruders.

In a clarion call on stakeholders to intervene and resolve the lingering issues underlining the postponement of the botched poll of Ibusa Youths Council, which manifested in the in-house rumbles that lead to the postponement of the youths election. 

It was gathered that the bone of contention leading to the postponement of the youths Election was disagreements over the alleged alteration of the Ibusa Youths Council Electoral Committee original list, recent Illegal inauguration of Ibusa Youths Council Interim Committee by the Palace of Obuzor which is against the Constitution of Ibusa Youths Council and the interference of the Obuzor palace and the Chairman of Oshimili North local government Chairman.

There are strong indication that the leadership crisis rocking the Ibusa community in Oshimili North LGA, of Delta State regarding the youths election, may soon be over as the Otu-Odogwu elders and key stakeholders have resolved to find lasting peace in the community since the Ibusa Youths Council Presidential position was zoned to Otu-Odogwu clan of Ibusa.

Rising from an enlarged stakeholders meeting on Thursday 26th June,2025 put together to resolve the contending issues which includes; the youths executive election, the non representative of Otu-Odogwu at the palace among others.

The Otu-Odogwu resolved that the Youths Interim Committee set up by the palace is unconstitutional and unacceptable to the entire Otu-Odogwu community,the entire Otu-Odogwu decided to take the bull by the horn to avoid crisis in Ibusa, Otu Odogwu pointed out that henceforth they will conduct a free and fair election among the three (3)sons of Otu-Odogwu aspirants contesting for the President of Ibusa Youths Council since its the turn of Otu-Odogwu to produce the next Ibusa youths President which is in line with the Ibusa Youths Council Constitution.

The Ikwele of Ibuss, who is from Otu-Odogwu and His Royal Eminence,High Chief Celestine Okafor pointed out that from the outcome of the meeting peace is in sight and he is in support of Otu-Odogwu to select one of their sons through consensus or election and present to Ibusa.

The Mgboko of Ibusa, Chief Daddy Okeleke told journalists during an interview after the meeting that the stakeholders were able to itemize the issues and set up different committees to handle them noting that every stakeholders have agreed to embrace peace in a bid to resolving all lingering issues. 

While advising the people on the needs to embrace peace he expressed the optimism that giving the outcome of the meeting all the issues will be sorted out soon.

Also speaking,Sir Gilbert Okonji, one of the convener of the meeting noted that it was organized to chart way forward regarding the peaceful resolution of lingering crisis affecting the youths executive election.

He said Ibusa has been peaceful but of recent we discovered that the three groups in the town; Otu Uwolo, Otu Iyase and Otu Odogwu have embroiled in crisis as a result of mistrust from different interest groups. 

According to Okonji; “we decided to call this meeting with the elders to find lasting peace in all the issues. We will talk with all aspirants for the youths president on the needs to work closely to come up with a consensus candidate which we will present to the Ibusa community since it’s the turn of Otu-Odogwu to produce the next Ibusa Youths Council President. 

The entire Otu-Odogwu have rejected the Youths Interim Committee set up by the palace of Ibusa and the political interference in the Ibusa Youths Council Election.

Another youth from Otu-Odogwu,Emeke Okolo, who is believed to be backing a candidate for the youths president said the youth election has been generating crisis but today we have fashioned out ways in line with the constitution to resolve all issues and we all are happy the elders and stake holders of Otu-Odogwu have taken over the matter.The time has come to restore order and ensure that the Igbuzo Youths Council conducts its elections transparently and with due process.