The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide says it remains committed to securing a peaceful resolution to the legal dispute between Dr. Azibapu Eruani, President of Azikel Group, and Mr. Kariyai Daukoru.

The National Secretary of the council, Barr. Dr. Ayebakuro Igbeta Itari, said this in a statement on Monday, explaining the efforts of the IYC’s 10th National Executive Council (NEC) to resolve the dispute.

Itari said the intervention followed the inauguration of the 10th NEC, led by Comr. Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete, on July 22.

He said the council had engaged Eruani, Daukoru, their representatives and the Bayelsa State Government in an effort to de-escalate the dispute and explore reconciliation.

The dispute involves ongoing legal proceedings arising from contractual claims, as well as allegations bordering on criminal defamation and cyberstalking.

Itari said the IYC initially contacted Eruani to explore possible avenues for securing Daukoru’s release from the Kuje Correctional Centre.

According to him, Okotete held telephone conversations with Eruani while he was abroad and later met him on three occasions after his return to Nigeria.

He said the IYC also contacted persons nominated by Daukoru’s wife and family to gain a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding the dispute.

Itari said the council intervened after receiving information about a planned solidarity march by youths and possible counter-demonstrations by groups sympathetic to Eruani.

He said the IYC subsequently appealed to affiliate organisations to suspend planned protests and demonstrations to create an atmosphere conducive to dialogue.

“Our initial objective was to encourage Dr. Eruani to consider withdrawing the criminal defamation and cyberstalking proceedings against Mr. Daukoru,” he said.

“This was to create an avenue for his possible release while allowing the substantive civil dispute to proceed through appropriate legal channels.”

However, Itari said Eruani maintained that he had no personal interest in keeping Daukoru incarcerated.

He said Eruani alleged that Daukoru’s social media activities had damaged his reputation, business interests and the image he had built over the years.

According to Itari, Eruani said he would consider withdrawing the criminal proceedings if Daukoru demonstrated genuine remorse and issued a public apology through the same channels where the alleged defamatory publications were made.

The statement said Eruani also questioned the intervention of the IYC, arguing that Daukoru had family, community leaders and traditional institutions that could mediate the dispute.

Itari said the IYC subsequently raised the matter with Gov. Douye Diri during the council’s maiden meeting with him.

He quoted Diri as saying that the matter had not reached a stage requiring direct intervention by the state government.

The governor, according to the statement, advised the parties to explore family, community and traditional institutions in seeking dialogue and reconciliation.

Diri also cautioned youths against using social media to circulate unverified information or launch personal attacks, saying such actions could have serious consequences.

Itari said the IYC president and members of the 10th NEC later visited Daukoru at the Kuje Correctional Centre on Aug. 21.

He said the delegation briefed Daukoru on the council’s engagements with Eruani, the state government and other stakeholders.

Itari said the IYC told Daukoru that its intervention was focused on his welfare and freedom, and was not intended to interfere with his civil claims.

He said the council specifically distinguished the criminal proceedings from Daukoru’s reported civil claim involving about N1.9 billion in compensation.

According to him, Daukoru maintained that he would not apologise to Eruani on terms he did not accept.

“He maintained that he did not cyberbully or defame Dr. Eruani and alleged that the media attacks began from the other side,” Itari said.

He added that Daukoru expressed confidence in his legal team and determination to pursue the cases to their logical conclusion.

Itari said the IYC had consequently reached the conclusion that it could not compel either party to accept a settlement.

He said Eruani had expressed willingness to consider a negotiated resolution, subject to certain conditions, while Daukoru remained opposed to issuing an apology.

“The IYC 10th NEC remains committed to peaceful resolution, reconciliation and the protection of the interests of all Ijaw people,” he said.

He said the council would continue to respect the independence of the judiciary and the rights of all parties involved in the dispute.

Itari said the IYC was committed to promoting alternative dispute resolution, dialogue and reconciliation whenever both parties were willing to explore those options.

“The 10th NEC is not driven by emotions, sentiments or partisan interests. Our position is simple: we want peace, justice, reconciliation and the protection of Ijaw lives, potentials and businesses,” he said.

He said the council would neither take sides blindly nor allow itself to be used to vilify one Ijaw person against another.

According to him, the IYC believes that no Ijaw person should be unnecessarily lost to prolonged incarceration where there remains an opportunity for dialogue and peaceful settlement.

Itari said the council would remain available to facilitate constructive engagement between the parties whenever they were prepared to explore a peaceful resolution.

He said the statement was issued to present the council’s position and clarify its interventions amid what it described as conflicting narratives circulating on social media.

“Ijaw First. Unity Above Division. Peace Through Dialogue,” he said.