The crisis in Opu- Nembe, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State assumed a new dimension on Saturday as aggrieved people of the community protested against the visit of the governor, Senator Douye Diri.
Diri, who had been away since a crisis broke out in the community, had on Friday during an expanded emergency security meeting imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on the community.
However in a follow-up visit on Saturday, Diri was stunned as protesting women refused to let him address the people.
Eye-witness account said the people of the community had used Saturday morning to do clean-up of their houses that had been deserted in the wake of the crisis gathered at the Town Hall armed with placards protesting at what they called interference of Governor Diri in the affairs of the community.
A former women President of the community, Seifekuma Clinton Etubo said the people are angry with Diri for abandoning the community during the crisis by taking sides.
According to her, Diri’s intervention is no longer needed as the Inspector- General of Police; Kayode Egbetokun has come to the aid of the people by deploying a team of Police operatives that have rescued the people from the reign of terror.
“We the women are angry and you can hear the anger of the women. Since Senator Douye Diri became governor he has never for once set foot in this community. As the Chief Security Officer he has taken a side which is not right. As a governor and father he kept quiet when some youths were intimidating people and this community had no peace. Now that we cried to the Federal Government and it sent the IGP to come and rescue us, it is now that he came with his convoy. We ask to come and do what exactly? We plead with the IGP to sustain the peace by ensuring that the Police team remains in the community to ensure we do not go back to the dark period.“
Also speaking, Mr Orusakwe Aseimiegha said the reaction of the people is a clear signal that Diri has been rejected by the people.
“What just happened today is a clear signal that the people of Opu- Nembe have shown that they cannot be intimidated. They have told the governor that he is part of the crisis and he is not wanted in the community. He has been rejected”.
