S/Court judgment protests in Bayelsa: World Assembly of Youth visits affected sites, advocates peace.

The World Assembly of Youth (WAY) has sent a delegation of youth and peace advocates on tour of affected institutions in the violence that trailed the Supreme Court judgment on Bayelsa.

It would be recalled that the apex court had ruled that Lyon’s Deputy, Degi Ereminyo, submitted forged documents which made them ineligible to contest the state’s governorship election in the first instance.

INEC, in compliance with the judgment, on Friday issued a certificate of return to the PDP candidate, who took the oath of office amidst tight security in the car park at Government House, Yenagoa.

Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had on Feb. 14 staged a protest on the streets of Yenagoa to register their displeasure ahead of the swearing-in of PDP’s Diri as governor.

Several public facilities, part of the secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was also burnt during the protest, which made the Bayelsa Police Command to impose a  dusk-to-dawn curfew in the state till Feb 23.

Mr Preye Ketebu-Brown, Vice President of the global youth body said on Tuesday in Yenagoa that the advocacy tour was aimed at peace building and advocating for non violence amongst youths

According to the youth leader, the peace mission delegates visited Bayelsa Medical University (BMU), Governor Douye Diri's House, Prof. Azaiki Library, Radio Bayelsa and Nigerian Television Authority, Yenagoa amongst other sites.

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Ketebu-Brown condemned the resort to violence and destruction by overzealous elements who took advantage of the situation to loot public and private properties and injure innocent people at their work places in affected public institutions. 

He urged Bayelsa people to accept the will of God in all affairs of men and called on the new Governor to feel the pulse of the people and hit the ground running starting with the youths. 

He advised the new Governor to visit affected institutions and put machinery in motion to address the immediate and remote cause of the crisis with a view to forestalling future occurance.

He appealed that all individuals who lost properties should be adequately compensated by Bayelsa state government as a means of reconciliation and calming frayed nerves as canvassed by Diri shortly after taking oath of office.

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The youth leader commiserated with the leadership of affected institutions and called for forgiveness and rededication to the onerous task of reorientation of the youths and people towards rebuilding the Bayelsa. 

Ketebu-Brown applauded the quick intervention of the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva who has condemned all forms of violence and urged the people to remain calm..  

He expressed concern that negative stories from the state greatly affect the image of the state and discourage international programs and partners as well as investors and emphasised the need for more maturity in politics and governance.