The political ambitions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, received a major boost over the weekend following a strong endorsement by the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The endorsement was announced in Abuja at the conclusion of the council’s National Convention, where delegates from Ijaw communities across the Niger Delta deliberated on national politics, governance, and environmental concerns.
The resolutions of the convention were formally communicated through a communiqué signed by the council’s President, Dr. Alaye Theophilus.
In a unanimous decision, delegates passed a vote of confidence on Governor Fubara for a second term in office, while also declaring their support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
According to the communiqué, the endorsement reflects a collective assessment of leadership performance, political maturity, and commitment to peace.
The council explained that its backing of Governor Fubara was largely influenced by his approach to governance since assuming office.
It noted that the governor has consistently prioritized peace and political stability in Rivers State, creating conditions that encourage economic growth, investment, and inclusive development.
Delegates at the convention praised the governor’s handling of political tensions, describing his conduct as calm, measured, and democratic.
The communiqué stated that his response to challenges demonstrated maturity and readiness for sustained leadership, adding that stability remains essential to addressing long-standing developmental issues affecting Ijaw communities.
The council further described Governor Fubara as a detribalized leader who has shown commitment to unity and fairness.
According to the convention, his leadership style has strengthened public confidence in democratic governance and positioned Rivers State as a model for peaceful coexistence in a politically diverse environment.
On the national stage, the Ijaw Youth Council said President Tinubu had earned the trust of Ijaw youths through his actions, particularly his role in managing political developments in Rivers State.
The council noted that the president’s intervention during moments of tension reflected a genuine desire for peace rather than political advantage.
The communiqué emphasized that the president’s handling of the Rivers State political situation reassured Ijaw youths of his commitment to justice, balance, and national stability.
It added that this approach allowed Governor Fubara to focus on governance without the distractions of prolonged political conflict.
Based on these considerations, the council declared its total and unreserved support for President Tinubu’s second-term bid.
It stated that the president had “shown reasons to be trusted,” and that his leadership actions justified the confidence placed in him by Ijaw youths ahead of 2027.
Beyond electoral politics, the convention devoted significant attention to environmental degradation in the South-South region.
The Ijaw Youth Council expressed deep concern over decades of oil pollution, gas flaring, and ecological damage across Ijaw territories, describing the situation as an ongoing environmental injustice.
The council condemned what it termed “ecological violence” inflicted on communities whose livelihoods depend on land and waterways.
It warned that continued neglect of environmental remediation threatens not only economic survival but also the future of younger generations in the Niger Delta.
As part of its resolutions, the council issued a fresh 60-day ultimatum to relevant government agencies and stakeholders, demanding the immediate commencement of comprehensive cleanup and remediation of all polluted Ijaw areas.
It insisted that the ultimatum should be treated with urgency to prevent further escalation.
The communiqué made it clear that the patience of the Ijaw people has been exhausted.
According to the council, communities can no longer tolerate the destruction of farmlands, rivers, and fishing grounds that form the backbone of their traditional economy and culture.
The Ijaw Youth Council warned that failure to see visible and concrete action at the expiration of the ultimatum would compel it to take decisive steps.
These steps, it said, could include the shutdown of oil and gas facilities operating within Ijaw territories.
The council cited the Ogoniland precedent, where oil exploration activities were halted pending environmental remediation, as a model for enforcing accountability. It stressed that environmental justice must precede continued resource extraction.
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