King Dokubo-Asari Throws Weight Behind Elvis Donkemezuo for House of Reps By: Al Humphrey Onyanabo
Caption; From left to right; Hon Chief Raphael kuku , Elder Edward Alagoa pioneer founding member of IYC Abuja , Tuedere Victor Ben , Hon Romeo Bekeyai, Hon Engr Elvis Donkemezuo FNSE PDP candidate for federal house of representatives Yenagoa/ Kolokuma & Opokuma federal constituency, King , Chief Ebikabowei Ben aka Boyloaf & Prince Jude Tabai the King of the youths
“He has fought alongside me for the Ijaw cause; he understands our struggle and will give the Ijaw people a voice in Abuja” — Dokubo-Asari
The political temperature around the 2027 elections rose several degrees in Abuja today as one of the most prominent voices in the Niger Delta struggle, Da Amakiri Tubo, Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo-Asari, Amanyanabo of The Source, Elem Kalabari, Torusarama Piri, openly endorsed the aspiration of Hon. Engr. Elvis Donkemezuo, FNSE, to represent the Yenagoa–Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
The endorsement came during a historic gathering of Ijaw sons in Abuja when Donkemezuo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the constituency in the 2027 general elections, paid homage to the Amanyanabo and formally presented his political ambition.
But what began as a traditional visit quickly became something much bigger: a meeting between two men who have been involved, in different capacities, in the long and often turbulent struggle for the rights and advancement of the Ijaw people.
After the introductions by Jude Tabai, Da Amakiri Tubo spoke passionately about Donkemezuo’s record and his place in the Ijaw struggle.
He described him as “a great son of Ijaw land”, recalling that Donkemezuo had fought alongside him through difficult times in the struggle for the upliftment and betterment of the Ijaw people.
For Dokubo-Asari, the importance of the 2027 contest goes beyond party politics.
He said the Ijaw people need representatives at the National Assembly who genuinely understand their history, grievances and aspirations — people who have experienced the struggle firsthand and therefore do not need to be taught the problems confronting the Niger Delta.
He expressed confidence that Donkemezuo possesses the experience and understanding required to become a strong voice for the Ijaw people in the National Assembly.
“With people like Engr. Elvis, who are conversant with the problems of the Ijaw people, the voice of the Ijaws and our challenges will be heard in the National Assembly,” he declared.
A Long History in the Ijaw Struggle
Donkemezuo is no stranger to the political and social history of the Niger Delta.
He was the pioneer coordinator of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Abuja Chapter, and later served as President of the Ijaw Youth Council in 2013.
He was also involved in the processes surrounding the formation of the Presidential Amnesty Programme for former Niger Delta militants and has consistently advocated environmental protection, justice and development for the Niger Delta region.
His memoir, The Vain Ijaw Struggle, chronicles his experiences during the Niger Delta struggle and documents the efforts to bring international attention to the environmental degradation, injustice and socio-economic challenges confronting the Ijaw people.
“I Will Support You”
In a further show of confidence, Dabaye Amakiri pledged his personal support for Donkemezuo’s political ambition.
He said he would deploy both his words and actions to support the aspiration and work towards ensuring that Donkemezuo emerges victorious in 2027.
The commitment effectively transformed the meeting from a courtesy visit into a significant political statement ahead of the 2027 elections.
Prayer for the Journey Ahead
The meeting ended with Da Amakiri Tubo offering a powerful prayer for Donkemezuo.
He prayed for divine guidance, protection, wisdom and strength as the former IYC leader embarks on what he described as a new phase of the Ijaw struggle — this time from within the chambers of the National Assembly.
Also present was General Boyloaf, another prominent figure associated with the Niger Delta struggle.
Boyloaf described Donkemezuo as “trusted and tested” and pledged his total support for the political ambition.
The Abuja gathering was therefore more than a political courtesy call. It brought together veterans of the Ijaw struggle at a critical moment when the region is once again looking towards the 2027 elections for stronger political representation.
With Dokubo-Asari now publicly throwing his weight behind Donkemezuo, the Yenagoa–Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency contest has acquired a distinctly wider dimension — one that places the question of who speaks for the Ijaw people in Abuja at the centre of the political conversation.
In his entourage were Hon Chief Raphael kuku , Elder Edward Alagoa pioneer founding member of IYC Abuja , Tuedere Victor Ben , Hon Romeo Bekeyai, Hon. Engr Elvis Donkemezuo FNSE PDP candidate for federal house of representatives Yenagoa/ Kolokuma & Opokuma federal constituency, King , Chief Ebikabowei Ben aka Boyloaf and Prince Jude Tabai, the King of the youths.
By: Al Humphrey Onyanabo,
The Storyteller,
Tel: 08109975621,
