By our Reporter
Elders and traditional chiefs under the aegis of Concerned Citizens of Opu-Nembe, have appealed for urgent peaceful intervention following the expulsion from the community of 28 elders by an aggrieved youth group
Narrating their ordeal at a press conference in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital, the concerned traditional leades said sending them into exile because they attended Slyva’s birthday party violated their fundamental human rights.
Spokesman for the elders’ group, Monday Degi,in a statement said there was relative peace in the community until the coming of the new youth group led by one Ebinimi Ayerite in 2020.
According to him,” over 20 houses and properties worth millions have been vandalised in the community”
While querying the temerity on which the youth body are unleashing mayhem on innocent citizens of Opu – Nembe, the elders urged Law Enforcement Agencies to step in and enthrone peace in the community.
“The Mr. Ayerite Ebinimi Moses-led youths of Opu-Nembe are on the rampage, destroying and looting houses and personal properties of perceived and apparent ‘enemies.’ Since the inception of the Ayerite Ebinimi Moses youth leadership, the community is witnessing sporadic violence and endless social unrest, which has become phenomenal.
“Over twenty (20) houses and properties worth hundreds of millions have been vandalized in the community without provocation.
“The Executive of the chiefs’ council had failed to intervene in these issues until ‘alleged’ invasions occurred in July 2021 and February 2023.
“The most recent incident involved the driving into exile of 28 chiefs from Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri) who had attended the birthday party of Mr. Timipre Sylva, the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.
“We cannot decipher the rationale for such a prerogative and bizarre act.
“The question is: when did such an act of celebrating with a son and brother on his birthday become a crime in Opu-Nembe and/or anywhere in the world? And the consequence of such is the loss of the right of citizenship or indigene ship of the Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri) Community.
“This is a flagrant violation of the constitutional provisions bordering on Freedom of Association and of Speech. We, the affected traditional chiefs and prominent people of the community, do not comprehend what section of the Nigerian Constitution vis-à-vis the constitution of the Opu-Nembe Council of Chiefs was violated by us regarding attending someone’s birthday party.
“We, therefore, would want to ask: on what premise and temerity the youth president and his cohorts are exercising the power to ostracize or exile us and our houses immediately invaded, vandalized, and property looted away?
“We are calling on relevant law enforcement agencies, such as the police, military (JTF), DSS, etc., to come to our aid and enthrone peace in the community. There should be a permanent occupation of military personnel in good numbers to forestall the further unleashing of mayhem, gangsterism, rape, and cultism by Mr. Ayerite Ebinimi Moses-led youth body on the innocent and law-abiding citizens of Opu-Nembe.”
However, a source in Nembe who spoke with current matters said that the grievances of the youth might not be unconnected with the unfulfilled promises of the former minister of state ( petroleum) Timipre Sylva
“They are accusing him of watching while the community all of a sudden no escalated to a guesome killing field .
” Sylvia did not really do anything for the Youths in his 4 years as Minister and it beats our imagination that birthday party is what he will organise and this people ( elders) who are supposed to be role models instead of telling him the hard truth of non performance decided to party with him. Well, what’s going on is unfortunate ” the source who pleaded anonymity said.
