Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Government and ex-Governor Timipre Sylva on Thursday engaged in a war of words over a purported planned protest by some youths this Friday.
The state government, which threw the first salvo, noted that it had reliable information that Sylva and the All Progressives Congress, APC, had perfected plans to instigate youths to embark on a violent street protest.
A government statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Dr. Boma Spero-Jack, disclosed that part of the plan was for the youths to violently disrupt business activities and cause a breakdown of law and order.
The statement warned youths in the State not to allow themselves to be used, as the State Government would hold them responsible for any deaths, injuries or acts of lawlessness that the planned protest would result to.
It also called on Bayelsans to be vigilant, especially parents and guardians, to ensure that their children and wards are not used to breach the existing peace in the state.
It stressed that the Government will not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law on any group of youths, who may decide to take to the streets, under whatever guise.
It noted that the various security agencies had been put on full alert to deal decisively with any acts of violence, no matter, who is involved.
But in a riposte, Sylva who responded through his media aide, Doifie Buokoribo, desribed the allegation as ‘baseless and laughable”
”We are compelled to respond since the matter involves security of lives and property.
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