WHY STONE GOVERNOR SYLVA OF BAYELSA STATE?

Dear Sir,

WHY STONE GOVERNOR SYLVA OF BAYELSA STATE?

President Goodluck Jonathan paid three-day official visit to his native Bayelsa State last week. Governor Sylva was maltreated: For youths who wore T-shirts that had pictures of President Jonathan/VP Sambo and that of Governor Sylva/Dep Gov Seibarugu but yet booed, chanted “you must go” song and pelted Gov Sylva with empty can-drinks, water-sachets, stones, and shoes while he was reading his welcome address at the civic reception held at the Samson Siasia President Jonathan. That Jonathan while responding did not openly condemn the shameful act of the youths was enough handwriting on the wall for Sylva to read.

Youths of south-south region are known for demonstrating their anger against their ruling class in that format. One remembers the Peace Concert organized by ThisDay newspaper in December 2009 at the Uyo stadium; immediately Governor Akpabio mounted the podium to make his speech, the youths were infuriated when he claimed supporting the concert (that had mostly foreign musicians with no Akwa Ibom musician on board) with N140million Akwa Ibom commonwealth. The angry youths booed and pelted him with stones and similar missiles as in Governor Sylva’s case. The only difference was that instead of Akpabio continuing his speech, his security aides hurried him out of the venue by shouting in the air to scare his attackers and the concert ended prematurely.

Another incident was that of former governor of Edo State, Lucky Igbinedion. His was at the handing over ceremony to the 2007 ‘elected’ PDP governor. When the chips were down, the Prof Governor was replaced by the genuine winner of the 2007 governorship election, Adams Oshinmole. Igbinedion’s was carried out as he was driving out of the venue (Benin stadium) of the handover proceeding; youths pelted stones and other missiles directed at his moving car.

Israel Effiong (israeleffiong@yahoo.com), Plot 79 Tayob Kehinde Crescent, Egbeda, Lagos State.