Just in: Egbema IYC suspends clan chairman over alleged misconduct

By Timi Black
Chief Correspondent

The Chairman of the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Egbema clan, Comr. Peter Gagbemi Toruwei has been suspended indefinitely over alleged misconduct, following a vote of no confidence passed on him by the council on Friday.

This was made available to Congress correspondent in a statement signed by Comr Rufus Ebiwei Vice chairman, Egbema clan IYC, Comr Timibra Erebor
Secretary, Comr Gandi Wisdom
Clan Rep 1, Comr Ayefewei Binigbolo, Treasurer, Comr Ware-ebi Ayefewei Okpoye,
Financial Secretary.

Others who also signed the statement were Comr Norgban Denyefa, Information officer, Comr Timi Julius Igbiriki,
Mobilization Officer, Comr Afro Agagha, Assistant Secretary, Comr Jibor Ebierin Harrietta
Women Leader, and Comr Peter Gagbemi Toruwei.

The statement accused the suspended IYC Clan chairman of betrayal, adding that he is unfit to lead the Ijaw youth in the Kingdom.

According to the statement, over 2/3 majority of the eleven (11) members executive of council, ranging from the vice chairman, Comrade Rufus Ebiwéi and other members of the Exco, except the Students rep agreed and moved the motion to suspend the Clan Chairman.

They said the suspension was inline with Article 10 (5)(9)(10) of the IYC Constitution, citing some reasons to be included not carrying the executive members along in the Council’s activities.

The council also argued that the ostracized chairman in council of misappropriation of Council’s funds, ranging from collection of money from government and private sectors in the name of calling a Congress without the notice of any executive member.

IYC stated other offences to be included not being able to take action against some group of boys, impersonating the council, (IYC), to extort Egbema People in Ugbolowoso, Opuama and Opia Rivers. This included piloting and carrying out the Council’s activities and Affairs with non Executive members, attending functions and meetings without the notice of any Exco member, not Calling of either Executive, stakeholders or General meeting for the past 7 months, Inability to give proper account of the funds realized from the river and Udo Ofunama Road and alleged syphoning of Xmas and New year gifts given to the council by Government and private sectors.

The group stated: “With the aforementioned reasons, which the chairman pleaded guilty and apologized, 10 members of the Executive of the clan, out of the 12 members that made up the exco moved and signed for his suspension”.

It was gathered the motion was moved by the Secretary, Comrade Timibra Erebor, seconded by Comrade Okpoye Ayefewie Ware-ebi in Sapele.

However, the clan Vice Chairman Comrade Rufus Ebiwéi was mandated to head and carry on with the Council’s activities till further notice.