Thank you, Bayelsa West. Thank you, Bayelsa State. Thank you, Ijaw Nation. Thank you, Niger Delta. Thank you, Nigerians at home and abroad, for your support, solidarity, and prayers in this journey to rescue our nation's multi-party democracy, a cause for which I have fought and staked everything.
For the past eight months, since January, when I visited Bayelsa State for the funeral of our former Deputy Governor, I have not been home. From there, I returned to Abuja, founded the NDC, and began to build it block by block, with the support of well-meaning Nigerians, our candidates, and our partners, especially our presidential candidate, H.E. Mr. Peter Obi, and his running mate H.E. Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. Today, it has emerged as the biggest national opposition party in our country.
First and foremost, I thank God Almighty, from whom all blessings and strength flow. I also thank all the officers of our party at every level and, most importantly, all Nigerians for their belief, confidence, trust, and prayers across party lines.
I am especially grateful to the good and wonderful people of Bayelsa West, whom I have the privilege of representing in the Senate, as well as the entire people of Bayelsa State, the Ijaw Nation, and all Nigerians, for their steadfast support and unwavering faith.
Nigeria's democracy must survive. Multi-party democracy must survive. With the prayers of everyone, we are dealing with the legal, contrived shenanigans of anti-democratic forces, and this, too, shall pass. As democrats, we trust the judiciary to do the right thing according to the law and not allow itself to be used as an instrument to derail democracy.
Although I have not stepped foot at home for many months, I have watched with immense pride and satisfaction that, while I laboured here with my colleagues to strengthen and build our party nationally, droves of leaders and citizens, men and women, young and old, have continued to troop out to register, join, and actively participate in the affairs and activities of our party.
I am also aware of people whom I raised and supported throughout my life to serve our people, only for them to turn around and weaponise the instruments of government, sack people from office, victimise innocent citizens, spread unfounded propaganda, and repay the good I did for them, their families, and their communities with wickedness and evil.
Yet all the propaganda, incitement, persecution, falsehood, and wickedness directed against me, my family, my community, and my steadfast supporters and friends for almost seven years, without reason or justification, have not swayed you. In spite of it all, you have persevered. You have remained resolute, and you have not buckled. Even without seeing me at home, you heard about and saw my involvement in the NDC; you joined and supported me. God, man, and history will be kind to you all.
That is the right path, and it is one of the legacies I hope to leave behind for our people and for Nigerians: the courage to say "No" when "No" is the right answer; to raise a generation that places ideas, conviction, and principles above stomach infrastructure, appointments, comfort, and personal gain; a generation that stands for what is right against what is wrong; a people who are willing to stand firm in defence of what is right, good, and fair; and a people who understand that every government is a servant, not a master, and must always remain accountable and honest to the people. That truth will always remain truth. That a lie can never become the truth, and wrong can never become right. That no sane person who fears God and man repays good with evil and wears it as a badge of honour or an achievement.
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Our new 2026/27 pre-match jersey is available now ⤵So fresh, so clean 🤌
Our new 2026/27 pre-match jersey is available now ⤵So fresh, so clean 🤌
Our new 2026/27 pre-match jersey is available now ⤵So fresh, so clean 🤌
Our new 2026/27 pre-match jersey is available now ⤵️
OKOTETE SWORN IN AS 10TH IYC PRESIDENT, NEW NATIONAL EXECUTIVE TAKES OFFICE
YENAGOA - Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete has been sworn in as the 10th President of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, alongside members of the organisation’s 10th National Executive Council.
The inauguration at Ijaw House in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, marked the formal completion of the leadership transition following the council’s national election on July 11, 2026, GbaramatuVoice reports.
Other members of the new executive are Chief Mayor Amadiokuma Hart, Deputy National President; Barrister Igbeta Ayebakuro Itari, National Secretary; Comrade Johnny Torudonkumor James, National Assistant Secretary; Comrade Omaghomi Olu-Derimon, National Mobilisation Officer; and Comrade Imomotimi James, Deputy National Mobilisation Officer.
Also inaugurated were Comrade Victor Ibaningo, National Spokesman; Comrade Ibiso Henry, National Treasurer; Comrade Frank Akenfa, National Financial Secretary; Barrister Meshack N. Sintei, National Legal Adviser; and Comrade Ebi Kutu Ayibakuro, National Woman Leader. The official IYC election report confirms the positions, although some names appear in abbreviated forms in the published event programme.
The new administration is expected to strengthen unity among Ijaw youths and intensify advocacy for youth empowerment, environmental protection, resource control and sustainable development across the Niger Delta. The IYC describes itself as a major sociopolitical organisation representing the interests of Ijaw people within Nigeria and abroad.
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