From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) has been thrown into crisis following alleged attempt to instigate impeachment proceedings against the President, Timothy Igbifa, over issues bordering on non-performance.
Speaker of the Mobile Parliament , Bob Corlins is leading some members to launch the impeachment process.
However, the move has not enjoyed the backing of other members who have formed the Mobile Parliament Integrity Group (MPIG)and who see the impeachment plot as capable of destabilising the Igbifa led 8th National Executive Council (NEC).
The group raised the alarm over an impending break down of law and order in Yenagoa, and other parts of the Niger Delta, should Corlins succeed in recruiting some members of the parliament to perfect his action.
MPIG said though it was true that the Igbifa-led executive had not lived up to expectations, it was wrong to declare the executive a total failure, given some commendable achievements it had recorded.
It listed the on-going free ICT skill acquisition programme where over 300 hundred youths are expected to build their capacity in computer programming and coding as one of the achievements of the executive.
A source within the IYC, who pleaded anonymity, said the plot to impeach Igbifa had already failed because Corlins could not muster the needed numbers of parliamentarians to launch the impeachment and that he also failed to follow the right procedures to convene a proper sitting of parliament.
“We call on Bob Corlins to remain in his Western Zone and desist from using Central Zone as his base to incite parliamentarians against the 8th NEC and cause disaffection amongst brothers and friends, while his Western Zone is calm. We are aware of the Bob Corlins selfish agenda and his desperation to become Acting President if he succeeds in his evil plan,” the source said.
MPIG warned that attempt to destabilise the peace and unity in the IYC would not be tolerated. It threatened to collate signatures of majority of parliamentarians who are tired of Corlins obsolete leadership style and move for his impeachment as Speaker.
Effort to get the reaction of Igbifa proved futile as he did not pick his phones. However, an aide to Corlins who craved anonymity, said Igbifa and his supporters were only afraid of their shadow.