Arogbo rights group faults IYC’s Vote of Confidence on Hon. Ojogo, says it is self-servicing, worthless

By Monday Peters, Abuja

The Movement for the Rights of Arogbo-Ibe (MRAI) outrightly rejects and strongly condemned the recently issued “Vote of Confidence” passed on Hon. Donald Kimikanboh Ojogo by the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Arogbo Clan.

The group said it viewed the move as not only premature but a glaring symptom of the declining integrity of credible activism and youth advocacy in the Niger Delta.

This was contained in a statement signed by Hosea T. Ebikontei
Coordinator and Bomi Stanley, secretary in which a copy was sent to the newsmen in Abuja on May 28, 2025.

The statement titled, ”
RE: Vote of Confidence, the Movement for the Rights of Arogbo-Ibe (MRAI) Rejects IYC’s Vote of Confidence on Hon. Ojogo, says it is a premature Action” said the confidence vote was self-servicing, especially at a time when the communities he is representing were plagued by entrenched underdevelopment, staggering youth unemployment, dilapidated healthcare system, lull educational advancement, and weak federal representation, adding that it was disheartening that the IYC — a body known for justice, integrity, and respected for its courageous advocacy — would now be reduced to a tool of political validation.

The group further said, “This watery Vote of Confidence shares similar characteristics with a certified marketer of expired drugs to a suffering populace — an insult to the sensibilities of the people on whose mandate he got elected. Since his assumption of office, Hon. Ojogo has failed to initiate or complete any project of significant impact in Arogbo-Ibe. There are countless instances corroborating our stance. For instance, the General Hospital project in Agadagba-Obon remains abandoned, and the youths of Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency remain idle, hopeless, and ignored in the face of the dauntingly harsh economic situation.

“We ask: What exactly is the basis of this confidence? Is it the informal courtesy visits to Abuja and Akure, or the vague, undocumented promises that have yet to materialise? For a people historically known for standing against injustice and marginalisation, this endorsement reeks of political compromise. It betrays the Arogbo struggle — and the broader Ijaw cause.

“It is clear that some youth leaders have traded their voices for access and token benefits. However, MRAI remains unwavering in its conviction that youth leadership must be rooted in truth, service, and sacrifice. The descent into political praise-singing must be resisted.

“Therefore, we make the following declarations:

“1. We dissociate ourselves completely from the so-called vote of confidence. It does not reflect the collective will or realities of the majority of Arogbo youths.

“2. We challenge Hon. Ojogo publicly released a comprehensive report card detailing his legislative activities and constituency projects for the Arogbo axis — including timelines, funding, and implementation status.

“3. We caution the IYC Arogbo Clan leadership to refrain from using the revered platform of the Council to launder political images or seek favour at the expense of truth and the suffering masses.

“4. We urge all true youth leaders within Arogbo-Ibe to rise above stomach infrastructure politics and reclaim the founding values of youth advocacy — centered on justice, equity, and the people’s interests.

“Let it be known that MRAI will continue to speak truth to power. We will stand as the voice of the people, unmoved by political distractions or elite appeasement. Our land deserves more than handshakes, promises, and shallow declarations. Arogbo-Ibe deserves results. We deserve leadership that delivers, not leadership that dazzles.

“Additionally, after a careful review of developments (or lack thereof) in the Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency, we find no evidence of meaningful progress. We therefore call on the National Leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) — including Comr. Nicholas Igarama, Chairman of Western Zone; Princewill, Spokesman of the Council; and the National President, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr — to urgently intervene and call the Arogbo Clan leadership to order, before the actions of a few completely tarnish the reputation and credibility of the IYC worldwide”, they noted.