By: Oby Edward

The people of Ibusa in the Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, have rejected the alleged plan of His Royal Majesty, Obi Prof. Chelunor Nwoboshi the Obuzor of Ibusa and the Oshimili North Local Government Chairman, Hon. Innocent Eseweizie to impose an Interim Youths Committee to conduct the Ibusa Youths Council Election in Ibusa against the wish of the people.

The Constitution of The Ibusa Youths Council, Section 13, empowers only the out-going Youths President and it’s committee to constitute the electoral committee that can carry out their duties independently and oversee the electoral process of the incoming executives of the Youths body. It is very sad for the entire Ibusa to witness how the palace twisted justice and manipulated the Ibusa Youths Council Constitutional Electoral process by illegally hand picking an illegal Interim Youths Committee headed by Obuzor`s personal Aide, while the case of suspension of Ibusa youths council election is still pending in the court of competent jurisdiction.

The recent inauguration of interim government\electoral committee is a brazen abuse of power by His Royal Majesty , Obi Prof. Chelunor Nwoboshi The Obuzor of Ibuzor and political actors who are expected to be custodians of peace and order in the Community doing the contrary. It is shameful and disgraceful witnessing the current Ibusa Youths Council saga at the moment. It was a deliberate attempt by the Obuzor and the Local Government Chairman to bypass the constitution of the Ibuzor youths council and impose leadership on Unpopular candidate through backdoor arrangement.

Leadership is not by coercive tendencies with open impunity that it must go my way, otherwise, heaven will fall. This is absolutely wrong in all ramifications of human judgement and we urge those perpetuating this evil to rethink because we can not continue to hit up Ibusa politics all the time because we have resolved to fraudulently hijack the process by all indication of human calculations in pursuit of who gets what in Ibusa Youth Council Election.

The sudden hijack of the youths election by the palace is worrisome because the Ibusa Youths Council Constitution stated clearly that the office of the Obuzor should be respected as advisory and non executive member, The office of the Obuzor has no fundamental rights and powers to appoint or inaugurate any interim/electoral committee.

It’s rather unfortunate that everything about Ibusa development as regards to who gets what in pursuit of free fair and credible for all is shrouded in secrecy; with Intent to manipulate the process of Ibuzo youth council election by all means.

During Easter conference, Ibusa Community Development Union(ICDU)unanimously agreed to take up its role and responsibility of resolving this impasse by bringing all contending parties to common understanding and take steps to commence the process of conducting a free and fair election to the satisfaction of the Ibusa community as a whole. it’s shameful that the palace did not consult the ICDU before setting up the illegal interim committee. ICDU according to our source had held several fruitful meetings with the youths, Local Government Chairman and the palace to finalize and resolve the issue of the court case between the Ibusa youths council and the palace.

ICDU were stunned with the breaking news of setting up of the interim youth council by the Obuzor on the 26th of May, 2025,Besides, the ICDU President General was invited to the palace on that faithful day that the pronouncement was made without due consultation. Chief Victor Uchunor who is the president general of ICDU (PG) is an automatic member of Obuzor cabinet, so his presence does not invalidate the outcome of the palace decision even when he holds a different view from the palace stands it makes no difference either.

It was alledged that the President General tactically refused to attend the inauguration because he knows it is demeaning and embarrassing for ICDU to be involved in such illegality, although that same day, he was chairing the Children’s Day celebration at St. Thomas College . This apparent disdain for ICDU body by the Obuzor is most demeaning and embarrassing to the entire Ibusa Community and is seen overtime as a deliberate attempt to underscore the fact that there is an unending plan to extinguish the position of ICDU as a body that midwifed the creation of Obuzor institution in Ibusa.

Speaking with a strong member of the ICDU who prefers anonymity, said that the setting up of an interim Youths body by Obuzor of Ibusa is illegal and cannot stand the taste of time, because according to the Ibusa Youths Council constitution, Obuzor just has an advisory role to play as the traditional ruler. Also, the Delta State Ministry of Youths electoral guidelines for youth election did not grant neither the Obuzor nor the local government Chairman such power to impose any committee on Y ouths election. He further explained that the process leading to the pronouncement of Youths electoral Committee should be transparent and devoid of any form of imposition or manipulation.
Speaking during an interview on Wednesday, another youth member of ICDU, faulted moves by Obuzor and some individuals to bypass the laid-down procedures for selecting New Ibusa Youths Council Executives and impose them on the community.

He added that an attempt to jettison the age-long practice and handpick an individual would not be in the interest of peace, progress, or the development of the community.

He advised the officials of government at both state and local government levels to give the community the opportunity to follow the normal process of electing their youths leaders.

Finally, the entire Ibusa community is calling on His Excellency, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori who is the Chief Security Officer of the state and other relevant authorities to caution the Obuzor of Ibusa over abuse of democratic process in the affairs of Ibusa Youth Council and checkmate the abuse of power, as their over zealousness for power can cause chaos and breakdown of law and order in Ibusa. A stitch in time saves nine.

Culled from Delta Mirror

By: Ike Philip Abiagom

Former Chairman Senate Committee on Niger – Delta Affairs,Most Distinguished Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi(SPON) has felicitated with muslims across the country on the celebration of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival and called on them to pray for the unity, development and security of Nigeria.

In a statement issued by his Media Office in Abuja on Wednesday, Nwaoboshi advised Muslims to know that the nation is facing many challenges which pose serious threat to her unity and progress while noting that citizens need to rededicate themselves physically, spiritually and intellectually to the cause of saving and serving the country.

He added that a period like that of Eid-el-Kabir, a season of sacrifice and demonstration of faith, provides an opportunity for such renewal of patriotism. The Eid-el-Kabir festival, he stated, symbolizes the voluntary obedience of Prophet Ibrahim (ASW) to the commands of Allah and the demonstration of his faith in his maker.

He urged Muslims to also remember that Allah commands them to obey the laws of their land, comply with lawful directives from the government of the day, live in peace with their neighbours and commit their affairs into the hands of the ultimate controller.

He urged muslims to use the sallah period to intensify prayers for the country. “We should seek for Almighty Allah (SWT) to heal her, restore full security, prosperity, peace and strengthen her unity. We should pray for victory for our soldiers fighting against insurgency and banditry in different parts of the country, Nwaoboshi stated.