The World Assembly of Youth (WAY) has sent delegation of youth and peace advocates on tour of affected institutions in the violence that trailed the Supreme Court judgment on Bayelsa gubernatorial election.

The apex court had ruled that the Governor-elect, David Lyon’s deputy, Degi Ereminyo, submitted forged documents which made them ineligible to contest the state’s governorship election in the first instance.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in compliance with the judgment, last Friday issued a certificate of return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Douye Diri, who took the oath of office amidst tight security in the car park at Government House, Yenagoa.

Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had on February 14 staged a protest on the streets of Yenagoa the state capital to register their displeasure ahead of the swearing-in of PDP’s Diri as governor.

Several public facilities and part of the secretariat of PDP were also burnt during the protest, which forced the State Police Command to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the state till February 23.

Mr Preye Ketebu-Brown, Vice President of the global youth body, said on Tuesday in Yenagoa that the advocacy tour was aimed at peace building and advocating for non-violence amongst youths

According to the youth leader, the peace mission delegates visited Bayelsa Medical University (BMU), Governor Douye Diri’s House, Prof. Azaiki Library, Radio Bayelsa and Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Yenagoa, amongst other sites.

Ketebu-Brown condemned the resort to violence and destruction by overzealous elements who took advantage of the situation to loot public and private properties and injure innocent people at their work places in affected public institutions.

He urged Bayelsa people to accept the will of God in all affairs of men and called on the new Governor to feel the pulse of the people and hit the ground running starting with the youths.

He advised the new Governor to visit affected institutions and put machinery in motion to address the immediate and remote cause of the crisis with a view to forestalling future occurrence.

He appealed that all individuals who lost properties should be adequately compensated by Bayelsa state government as a means of reconciliation and calming frayed nerves as canvassed by Diri shortly after taking oath of office.

The youth leader commiserated with the leadership of affected institutions and called for forgiveness and rededication to the onerous task of reorientation of the youths and people towards rebuilding the Bayelsa.

Ketebu-Brown applauded the quick intervention of the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva who has condemned all forms of violence and urged the people to remain calm.

He expressed concern that negative stories from the state greatly affect the image of the state and discourage international programs and partners as well as investors and emphasised the need for more maturity in politics and governance.

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