Youths seek end to violence, war in Ebiraland

The Ebira Youth Congress (EYC) has described as dangerous “the gradual but imminent relapse of Ebiraland into the horrible state of yesterday,” calling the state government and the traditional institution to arrest the trend before it gets out of hand.
Speaking through its President-General, Baba Abdulrazak, the EYC observed what it called “the reinvention of the inordinate desires of some Ebira politicians, which snowballed Ebiraland into theaters of war some years ago into the affairs of the people in recent times.
“Our land and its people are yet to fully recover from the politically induced orgies of blood baths and the wars of immolation between 2007 and 2009. EYC can’t forget the massive loss of lives, destruction of properties and sacking of communities that resulted from that dark era.”
Specifically, the youth group described the stoppage of a planned reception for the retirement of a highly revered elder statesman, Justice Moses Bello from active service, the disruption of Senator Ogembe’s empowerment programme and its damaging effects on the properties and business of Afims Hotels among others as repulsive and disturbing.
They similarly noted “the reportedly unprovoked attacks on elements of opposition parties across Okehi local government; the desecration of Ebira tradition and the resultant death of the tortured night masquerade custodian, Mr. Akobe- all in a couple of days back” as worrisome and unfortunate.
The youths who tasked Governor Yahaya Bello to nip the ugly scenarios in the bud wondered why the well-planned reception for Justice Moses Bello was stopped by the soldiers who stormed his residence a few hours to the event but a high profile marriage ceremony, and a religious programme organised by an appointee of the state government took place the same day in the land.
“Are the men of the Nigerian Army using different rules of operation for different persons in Ebiraland or are the soldiers meddling in partisan matters in Ebiraland?” they queried.
EYC called on well-meaning Anebiras to rise to preserve the relative peace being enjoyed in recent times, saying “This is not the time for silence- we all owe it a duty to save Ebira from this fast regression to the miseries of yesterday.”
They further warned the state governor, Yahaya Bello “not to allow some of his overzealous aides and hangers-on to squander the goodwill of his divine mandate.”