A concerned indigene of Rumuola town in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers state has called for the immediate stepping aside of the chairman of the Rumuola Youth Congress (RYC) 2026 election committee, over alleged bias.
In an interview with Metronetworknews, the indigene who pleaded to remain anonymous, said the call had become necessary inorder to protect their community and save the electoral process.
He alleged that the electoral committe has lost the credibility required to conduct free and fair elections, citing what he described as a growing concern about the impartiality of the committee.
His words; “The forthcoming Rumuola Youth Congress (RYC) Youth Election has increasingly become a source of concern to well-meaning members of our community.
“What was expected to be a transparent, peaceful, and credible process has unfortunately been plagued by repeated postponements, controversies, resignations, and growing concerns about the impartiality of the Electoral Committee.
“The election has now been postponed more than three times. This is no longer a matter that should be treated casually. Every postponement erodes confidence in the process and creates unnecessary tension among aspirants, supporters, and members of the community.
“Even more disturbing is the fact that, under the leadership of the Electoral Committee Chairman, the Secretary of the Committee and another Committee member have reportedly resigned, citing concerns about bias in the conduct and leadership of the electoral process. These resignations should not simply be dismissed; they should compel every stakeholder to ask serious questions about what is happening within the Committee.
“There are also reports circulating that the Electoral Committee Chairman is acting on the instructions of the Paramount Ruler. We must be careful with such claims until they are independently established, but the mere emergence of such allegations is deeply troubling. Our traditional institutions deserve respect, but electoral processes must equally be protected from any perception of undue influence or interference.
“An election is not the personal property of the Electoral Committee Chairman, any aspirant, any traditional ruler, or any individual. It belongs to the people.
“The primary responsibility of an Electoral Committee is to create an environment where every eligible aspirant and voter can participate with confidence that the rules will be applied fairly and consistently.
“Where that confidence has been severely compromised, the responsible thing to do is not to insist on conducting the election at all costs. The responsible thing is to step back, allow an independent and credible process to emerge, and protect the peace of the community.
“I therefore respectfully call on the Electoral Committee Chairman to step aside from conducting this election and allow a reconstituted, credible, and impartial electoral body to take over the process.
“This is not a call for confrontation.
“This is not a call for violence.
“This is not an attack on any individual.
“It is a call for peace, fairness, credibility, and the protection of our community.
“I equally appeal to all aspirants, supporters, and members of the Rumuola Youth Congress to exercise restraint. No elective position is worth the blood, friendship, unity, or peace of our community.
“If the current Electoral Committee leadership is allowed to continue along a path that has generated this much controversy and distrust, we fear that the consequences may extend beyond the election itself and negatively affect the peace and cohesion of our community.
“Rumuola deserves better. Our youths deserve better. Our electoral process deserves better.
“I therefore urge all stakeholders to put the interest of the community above personal interests and ensure that the next election is conducted by people whose impartiality, integrity, and independence are beyond reasonable doubt.
” And to the chairman, my appeal is simple: Step aside. Allow the process to breathe. Let a credible electoral body rebuild the confidence that has been lost.
“You have a professional journey and a legal career to build. There is dignity in recognizing when one’s continued involvement in a process may no longer serve the greater good.
“Let us choose peace over power, integrity over influence, and the future of our community over individual ambitions.
“Rumuola must not become the casualty of an election.
“Let the people decide”, he appealed.
All attempts to reach the chairman for his reaction proved abortive.
