Emmanuel Thomas, Lagos
July 21, 2015 – Chairman, Ijaw Youth Council(IYC) Comrade Bobolaiyefa Owoupele has threatened that the IYC will resist any attempt by the All Progressive Congress(APC) led Federal Government to rig the Bayelsa governorship election.
“We will resist any attempt by the APC-led federal government to interfere in the governorship polls in Bayelsa State. We are using this medium to send a clear message to President Buhari not to allow himself to be deceived because the consequences of a rigged election in this state will be met with very stiff resistance”, the IYC said.
It added that no one, no matter how highly placed, should be used to cause political instability in this state. “The peace and security that the current government has worked so hard to put in place should not be sacrificed on the alter of politics simply because some persons are hell bent on executing a sinister agenda of winning elections at all cost at the expense of the prevailing peace and security in the state.”
It called on the security agencies to take proactive steps to place the leaders of the APC in the state on his watch list, warning that no one be allowed to perpetrate crisis in the state and go scold free, pointing out that election is not war or fight, rather it is supposed to be a contest.
The group decried move by APC to forcefully take over the the building that was used as venue for their declaration adding that it remains property of the state government which the former governor, Timipre Sylva, illegally bought for himself with funds unscrupulously gotten from the state treasury at a whopping sum of N200 million.
The IYC said the issue of the said property is in court and its a subject to litigation.
