“DEPUTY GOVERNOR’S COMMENTS ON EPIE/ATISSA YOUTHS TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT”

~ CONCERNED NATIVES OF EPIE/ATISSA

A group of youths have come out to clear the air on the trending issue were the Bayelsa State Deputy Gov. Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo is alleged to have berated Youths of Epie/Atissa extraction. According to the youths who identified as Concerned Natives of Epie/Atissa, clarified that the Deputy Governor’s remarks have been intentionally and maliciously quoted out of context by self seeking individuals to sow a seed of hatred and raise an army of agrieved Youths against what they consider the political interests of the Deputy Governor.

Referring to recent trends were Social media space has become rife with accusations against Sen. Lawrence for making a complementary remarks against Epie/ATISSA Youths, the Concerned Natives express shock that such innocent remarks of a top government functionary could draw this much unrealistic reaction except that some political actors had capitalized on it to fan negative sentiments against the workaholic deputy governor who is a known believer of the youths and has pushed more than anyone else the empowerment of Bayelsa youths irrespective of tribe/LGA or ethnicity.

Clarifying further the convener of the group Mr. Konkeme Ogilimene stated that what the Deputy Governor was trying to do was to encourage Epie/ATISSA Youths to guard jealously against the infiltration of the home lands by strangers because of the pivotal role of the Epie/Atissa on account of the fact that this is the state capital and the actions and or inactions of the native Youths is essential for the maintenance of security in the capital city and beyond, “Sen. Lawrence was calling on us as Epie/Atissa to be vigilant and not to allow ourselves to be carried away by the levies on land and development that strangers may roam free in our land commiting atrocities in our name, I don’t know how anyone can manipulate or twist his words so out of context as to evoke tribal sentiments or public outcry”

Another speaker Mr. Dikivie Elvis Amos remarked that in several meetings with the Deputy Governor the number second man has always reminded them of the importance of the Yenagoa youth in the security architecture of the state reminding that if they get carried away with land deals, miscreants will take advantage of their mothers, wives and sisters because the men have left them vulnerable. Yakie Morovie added that Lawrence is a good man and mean well for all Bayelsans and this unfortunate tend is no doubt the handwork of persons who are intimidated by the profile of the Deputy Governor and fearing that he may as well be nursing ambitions to the State oval office, are taking advantage of the remarks by sponsoring media influencers to blow the innocent remarks out of context and out of proportion.

The group urged fellow men and women of Epie/Atissa extraction to wake up to the intrigues of political shenanigans under play and take the Deputy Governor’s words for what it is, which is “advise of consciousness and self awareness”, bearing in mind that allowing Epie/Atissa people to be caught in the name calling or the political adventures of any individual will not necessarily advance the good of the kingdom.

The group called on politicians to be careful how they whip-up empathy in the public by attempting to drag down who they consider adversaries, and the Epie/Atissa natives sued for calm in the minds of those seeking the exalted position of Governor of Bayelsa State, as Sen. Lawrence has made it expressly clear prior to this time that for now he is not considering any political position, and is only concerned about serving out his God given tenure as Deputy Governor under the capable leadership of the Miracle Governor Sen. Douye Diri.