ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
Some youth groups in Bayelsa State are at daggers drawn with two aides of Governor Douye Diri over alleged N10m largesse approved by the governor for their office accommodation.
It was learnt that Diri released the money for the rent of mobilisation offices for some youth groups ahead of his second term aspiration in 2024 but the money has torn the youths apart.
It was also learnt that the money was released for the rent of four offices for youth groups such as the Bayelsa State Comrade Family (BSCF), National Association of Bayelsa State Students (NUBSS), National Association of Ijaw Students (NUIS) and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
The release of the money, it was learnt, was allegedly facilitated by two aides of the Governor — Hon. Robert Igali and Hon. John Jacob — without the knowledge of the youth groups listed as beneficiaries.
It was gathered that despite the fact that offices were rented and an LE Model Toyota Camry was procured by Igali, his claim that the car was a personal request included in the approved memo did not go down well with leaders of the youth groups.
The youths accused Jacob of not being a member of the group but was misleading the embattled chairman of the BSCF.
The aggrieved members of the benefiting youths groups, particularly the BSCF, at an emergency meeting on Tuesday, accused their leader and Diri’s aide of alleged abuse of office, negligence and gross misconduct. They, therefore, resolved to pass a vote of no confidence in the leadership.
The youth groups also resolved to put in place modalities to conduct election into key positions and that the keys and documents of the Governor’s approved offices and car be handed over to the interim leadership.
Already, the aggrieved members of the Comrade Family have suspended Hon. Igali as Chairman and nominated Comrade Esuku Timinepre, Comrade Meshack Sintei and Godspower Nestor have been selected as acting Chairman, Secretary and Spokesman respectively.
A senior government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Governor’s gesture was not political, but a way to encourage youth groups to have offices and promote youth group advocacy and development initiatives in the state.
“We are aware of the brouhaha and we expect that these groups can maturely resolve the issues internally without insulting the magnanimity of the present administration,” the source said.
But a pro-Igali group, which also included new media aides to the Governor, accused those moving against Igali as those interested in sharing the N10m and hijacking the car rather than allowing the acquisition of the office accommodation as directed by Governor Diri.
The group declared Igali the life President of the Bayelsa State Comrade Family (BSCF).
Checks have, however, shown that among the four benefiting youth groups, the BSCF headed by Robert Igali is not a registered organisation but a gathering of former youth leaders from higher institution days.
However, Igali denied the allegation of misconduct and criminal diversion of funds, saying that his boss, Gov. Douye Diri, released the sum of N10m for office spaces which had been paid for and the furniture needed had been delivered.
“The evidence is there. The respective leaders have gone to clean up their offices. Those kicking against our efforts are those who want me to share the money with them,” he stated.