Bayelsa State Government said it has uncovered plans by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to instigate violence in the state.
It specifically accused the party’s governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva and the APC.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Dr. Boma Spero-Jack, in a statemrnt, said part of the plan was for the youths to violently disrupt business activities and cause a breakdown of peace and order.
The statement warned youths in the state not to allow themselves to be used saying government would hold them responsible for any death, injury or act of lawlessness arising from the planned protest.
It also called on Bayelsans to be vigilant, especially parents and guardians, to ensure that, their children and wards were not used to breach the peace in the state. The state government also stressed that 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. According to Dr. Spero-Jack, the security agencies had been put on full alert to deal decisively with any act of violence, no matter, who is involved.
Responding, Sylva distanced himself from the planned protest and said Dickson should carry the cross for his anti-people policies.
In a statement by his media adviser, Sylva described as “irresponsible, baseless and laughable,” the statement issued by Dickson.
He continues: “First, Sylva has nothing whatsoever to do with any protest in Bayelsa State today, 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.
“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,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, Bayelsa State Police Command has warned against any protest by any group in the state, reiterating earlier warning concerning unauthorised and unlawful gathering of persons or group of persons, without a duly approved police permit.
Police Public Relations Officer, Anisim Butswat, isssued the warning.
“Information at our disposal reveals that some group of persons are planning to carry out a protest in Yenagoa and its environs, today,” he said.
“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.”