MRAI lambastes AIMC over verbal attacks, says Donald Ojogo fails, insists governance is not public relations

By Monday Peters, Abuja

• Insists on Impactful Governance

The Movement for the Rights of Arogbo-Ibe (MRAI) has reacted to what it described as unguided and mischievous attacks by a non-existent and faceless Arogbo Ijaw Monitoring Council (AIMC) following their earlier position rejecting the “Vote of Confidence” passed on Hon. Donald Kimikanboh Ojogo (MHR), member representing Ese-do federal constituency in Ondo State by the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Arogbo Clan.

The MRAI had insisted that there would be no amount of manipulated facts and recycled gestures constitute progress, adding that listing wooden walkways and home drill boreholes; most of which were either facilitated by interventionist agencies or are untraceable to any active community; does not amount to transformational representation, noting “it is embarrassing that in the 21st century, faceless AIMC group is hailing wooden footpaths as symbols of progress and development.

In response, MRAI said, “as earlier stated, we are compelled to address the desperate attempt to dress mediocrity in borrowed robes and pass it off as leadership”.

This is according to a statement signed by Hosea T. Ebikontei
Coordinator, Bomi Stanley
Secretary in which a copy was sent to journalists in Abuja on May 30, 2025.

The statement which contained hashtags such as #ArogboDemandsAccountability, #NoToPoliticalPackaging and #WeDeserveBetter, insisted that no amount of propaganda, name-dropping, or inflated project listings will substitute the visible reality of the average Arogbo youth; one of exclusion, unemployment, dilapidated infrastructure, and political abandonment.

The group MRAI further maintained
“Let it be known; no amount of propaganda: name-dropping, or inflated project listings will substitute the lived reality of the average Arogbo youth; one of exclusion, unemployment, dilapidated infrastructure, and political abandonment.

The unverifiable claims of AIMC are addressed accordingly:

“1. Manipulated facts and recycled gestures do not constitute progress. Listing wooden walkways and occasional boreholes; most of which were either facilitated by interventionist agencies or are untraceable to any active community; does not amount to transformational representation. It is embarrassing that in the 21st century, AIMC hails wooden footpaths as symbols of progress.

“2. “Achievements” without verified community impact are political window-dressing. Who monitors these projects? Where is the financial breakdown? What were the contract sums? Where is the evidence of proper execution? Without transparency, this list is merely a well-curated political résumé.

“3. The health condition of a representative is not a licence for non-performance. We sympathise with Hon. Ojogo (MHR) on any health challenges he may have faced, but leadership demands accountability regardless of personal limitations. If he could not deliver, he ought to have stepped aside.

“4. Throwing crumbs at the people and calling it empowerment is condescending. Sewing machines, bags of rice, and one-time cash stipends are not sustainable development. Our people deserve skills training, innovation hubs, functional hospitals, and sound legislative representation; not momentary palliatives dressed as legacy.

“5. We owe no apology to the IYC. It is the IYC Arogbo Clan leadership that must apologise to the people for turning a once-fearless council into a praise-singing platform. The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), must not be reduced to the PR wing of politicians.

“It must be acknowledged that our rejection of the armchair Vote of Confidence remains absolute and irreversible. AIMC’s statement only confirms our earlier fears; that youth activism in Arogbo-Ibe is being co-opted into a machinery of political appeasement.

‘We therefore reaffirm the following:

“1. MRAI stands by its earlier statement, Hon. Ojogo has failed to meet the minimum expectations of Arogbo-Ibe constituents.

“2. AIMC’s endorsement reflects a disconnect from the realities on the ground, not a true appraisal of the will of the people.

“3. We call on all well-meaning youth and community stakeholders to resist political laundering and demand real representation.

“4. Arogbo-Ibe is not for sale. Our dignity cannot be traded for rice, boreholes, or empty slogans.

“MRAI will not be waived in speaking truth to power, even if we must stand alone. We will not be cowed into silence by organisations that confuse loyalty with blindness. If Hon. Ojogo or any public office holder wishes to be praised, let them deliver real change — not press statements and token gestures”, they added.