The Ijaw Youth Stakeholders, under the IYC Clan Chairmen, noted that although they were invited for a meeting with the Bayelsa Speaker on his aspiration to represent the Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency, the outcome of the meeting was not an endorsement of Benson's ambition.
The Ijaw Youth Council has dissociated the group from the controversy over the alleged endorsement of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly Speaker, Honourable Kombowei Benson, for the Federal House of Representatives seat ahead of the 2019 general election.
The Ijaw Youth Stakeholders, under the IYC Clan Chairmen, noted that although they were invited for a meeting with the Bayelsa Speaker on his aspiration to represent the Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency, the outcome of the meeting was not an endorsement of Benson's ambition.
In a statement by the IYC chairmen issued in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, noted that the IYC is a pressure group and remains apolitical, "but even if we want to endorse a House of Reps candidate, we know who we will endorse having carefully studied the candidates floated by each political party by giving recourse to the general interest".
The statement, which was signed by the Chairman (Southern Ijaw IYC), Comrade Abule Titus; the Secetary, Comrade Bestman Anki, the Convener, IYC Chairmen Forum, Elder Rawlings Ezetu and representative of the stakeholders, Korubo Kockman, read: "Let it be known to the general public that Hon. Konbowei Benson only invited the IYC clan chairmen forum SILGA for a meeting and sought for possible support and not an endorsement bargain as announced.
"As leaders, we frown and outlined the above obvious in the meeting; why the Yenagoa, Oporoma and Ukubie road has not been included in the yearly budget under his watch as the Hon speaker for the past seven years, whereas the Sagbama and Ekeremor road is near completion. Finally, therefore, it beats our imagination for the purported endorsement.
"We the IYC clan chairmen and critical stakeholders condemn in its entirety the said purported factious news. We humbly plead with all Ijaw youth from Southern Ijaw to vote for credibility, competency and visionary leaders that will create job opportunities for our teeming youth, create empowerment programmes for women and youth, payment of scholarship for our students and operate open door policies.
"In the light of the above, the body dissociates itself from such fallacious, ill-intended and politically-motivated endorsement, as it is capable of causing mayhem and disunity amongst the youth of the LGA. The body further exhort youths not to be used as political stooges for selfish politicians and that it is time for youth to be progressive in thinking."