By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, has expressed surprise over Governor Douye Diri’s “disturbing obsession towards Opu Nembe.”
According to a release made available to our correspondent, Sylva’s concerns “stems from the fact that for over two years Opu Nembe has, very unfortunately, been enmeshed in crises by warring parties while the state governor sat idle, feigning ignorance and openly exhibiting his disdain for Opu Nembe Kingdom as it is apparent he has done nothing to improve the lot of the people.”
The release further said “It is worrying that at a time the Inspector General of Police has rid Opu Nembe of her negative belligerents and liberated the town from the grip of stone-age violence, Douye Diri has suddenly leapt out of his docility.
“Opu Nembe is calm now as stated by the PDP chairman of Nembe Local Government Area, businesses are back and pedestrians are walking freely so for Governor Douye Diri to return from his holiday abroad and begin stirring up a town currently enjoying peace suggests that his sinister obsession towards Opu Nembe, regrettably, has to do with the approaching governorship elections.
“The world should take note of Douye Diri’s constant attempt in trying to bully the Nigerian Armed Forces especially the Nigeria Police Force and it is important to note, also, that Governor Douye Diri is a candidate in November 11 governorship election just like candidates of every other party. He should stop going around compromising communities and institutions with the guise of governance.
“Sylva states that if Governor Douye Diri continues to interfere in the affairs of Opu Nembe now that the situation is calm, patrons of Opu Nembe and concerned Bayelsans will have no choice but take legitimate actions to protect the community from the interference of cynics who only trade in innocent blood.
“There have been no reported case of violence at Opu Nembe since the IGP’s team moved in, all parties are back and peace is restored. This renewed obsession by Gov. Douye Diri, including threatening to deploy his own team of Police squads to Opu Nembe is desperate, appaling and nearly infantile.
“Douye Diri’s primary and only interest with Opu Nembe should be to develop the community and support the peace already in place, his dream of destabilising Opu Nembe just before the elections will bravely be resisted by Chief Sylva who is a son of the community, citizens and every Bayelsan of goodwill.
“Our commonwealth should not be used in bribing electorates, intimidation and subjugation of our people. Our common patrimony should be used to develop our dear state. Bayelsans have no other state to call their own,” the release said.
