Dickson accuses Sylva of gathering youths for violent protest

 Seriake Dickson

The Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, Thursday, accused the state leader and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Timipre Sylva of perfecting plots to instigate youths to embark on a violent street protest on Friday in Yenagoa.

Dickson in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Security Matters, Dr. Boma Spero-Jack, claimed that the plan is for the youths to violently disrupt business activities and cause a breakdown of peace and order.

The governor warned youths in the state not to allow themselves to be used saying the government would hold them responsible for any deaths, injuries or acts of lawlessness that could arise from the protest.

He further called on the people of the state to be vigilant and asked parents and guardians, to ensure that, their children and wards were not used to breach the existing peace in the state.

Dickson stressed that, the government would not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law on any group of youths, who might decide to take to the streets, under whatever guise.

“The various security agencies have been put on full alert to deal decisively with any acts of violence, no matter, who is involved”, he said.

But Sylva immediately fired back describing the statement credited to Dickson as irresponsible, baseless and laughable.

Referring to Dickson’s government as embattled, Sylva in a statement signed by his Media Aide, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, asked the governor to leave him out of his many woes.

The statement said: “Ordinarily, we would have ignored the statement since it did not provide any proof to support the alleged involvement of Sylva in the so-called plot. However, we are compelled to respond since the matter involves security of lives and property.

“First, Sylva has nothing whatsoever to do with any protest in Bayelsa State on Friday or any other time.

“Second, and more importantly, it is Mr. Dickson and his unsympathetic, anti-people and sick administration that should take the blame for instigating any revolt in the state for its deliberate refusal to pay its workers.

“It is Dickson, and not Sylva, that is responsible for the mass hunger in Bayelsa State. University lecturers, who are currently on strike, are being owed several months’ salaries. And pensioners and workers are also being owed.

“The children and their parents are forced to stay at home and, as the saying goes, ‘the idle mind is the devil’s workshop’.”

“Dickson and his syndicate have envisaged crisis from the social inertia they have forced on the state with their lack of imagination and mindless looting of the people’s resources, and they are now on a desperate hunt for someone to blame.

“But, as usual, the people of Bayelsa are wiser and they can see through Dickson’s shenanigans. If the people are now fed up and want to take political action to defend their humanity, Dickson should simply hold himself responsible.

“Let Dickson be man enough to take responsibility for his actions and inactions, and leave Sylva out of his woes”.

But the state Police Command warned against unauthorised and unlawful gathering of persons or group of persons, without a duly approved police permit.

The command in a statement signed by its  Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Asinim Butswat said: “Information at our disposal reveals that some group of persons are planning to carry out a protest in Yenagoa and its environs, tomorrow Friday, 24 June, 2016.

“The Police commands appreciate the fact that individuals or group of persons have the right to stage a peaceful protest, however, the law states that they should obtain a permit from the Police before embarking on any form of protest or procession.

“The Command hereby appeals to parents and guardians to advise their children or wards to desist from joining any form of protest or procession.

“Members of the public are advised to go about their lawful businesses as adequate security measures have been put in place to curtail the activities of miscreants, and the Police will not hesitate to enforce the law against any violator.”