The central zone of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has announced the suspension of a group of dissident youths, who reportedly held a meeting at Emeyal community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, despite repeated warnings that the meeting earlier scheduled for Kaiama, Headquarters of Koklokuma/Opokuma LGA of the state was illegal.

The suspended youths are Thomas Tenkiri, Emi Fiyesinkumo, Prince Okinima, Ebilade Ekerefe and Amiebi Turner.

Their suspension was announced last night by IYC zonal Chairman, Bobolayefa Owoupele, after an emergency meeting of the Central zonal executive of the IYC held at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa.

The suspensions were equally endorsed by the Acting Secretary, Sokari G. Sokari; Mobilization Officer, Samuel Bunas, Information Officer, Tari Agai and Students Representative Officer, Apia Cyril Ebi.

While describing the meeting as illegal, Owoupele said the decisions taken by them remained null, void and of no effect.

He condemned the action of the youths, saying the move was clearly at variance with the new direction and thinking of the Ijaw nation, “which is seeking to unite its people for a more robust representation and recognition in the post-Goodluck Jonathan presidency era in Nigeria.”

Owoupele blamed the action of the youths on some self-seeking and mindless politicians, who are bent on creating disunity among the Ijaw for the sake of their political ambitions.

According to him, the unity of the Ijaw nation must not be mortgaged, compromised or sacrificed on the altar of personal political interest and ambition.

Owoupele called on those seeking political offices to see the unity of the Ijaw nation “as the collective responsibility of all,” adding: “Posterity will judge them by their actions, if they allow their ambitions to disintegrate a people, who should be united more than ever before to confront their common enemy.”

He also enjoined Bayelsans and youths across the Ijaw nation not to allow themselves to be used to create unnecessary divisions, tension and chaos.

The IYC zonal Chairman also advised the elders of the land to intervene and call such politicians to order.

•Photo shows IYC emblem.