The progressive youths of Epie- Atissa in Yenagoa Local Government Area have slammed Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo for his recent comments castigating Epie- Atissa over the invasion of herdsmen in Yenagoa.
Ewhrudjakpo recently, during an emergency meeting with traditional rulers, community leaders, local government chairmen, and other stakeholders over incessant herdsmen attacks in the state, accused youth presidents of Epie—Atissa communities of being focused on collecting developmental levy and unable to go to the forest to challenge herdsmen attacking their communities.
However, the progressive youth Epie- Atissa, in a statement by Izibeya Ogbemudia, described Ewhrudjakpo’s statement as disrespectful, needless, and insensitive to the plight of Epie- Atissa people who are being attacked daily in their farmlands.
According to him, there are better ways for the Deputy Governor to make his point than making denigratory remarks about Epie—Atissa youths.
‘’Our people are really suffering in the hands of these marauding herdsmen, and the last thing we need is an insult from someone who was elected alongside Governor Douye Diri to protect us.
“To the best of our knowledge, the Bayelsa anti-grazing law does not empower youths of Epie-Atissa to confront armed herdsmen encroaching on their lands.
“Therefore, expecting us to engage the said herdsmen is like urging us to attack them or do the work of the police and other relevant security agencies.
“It is sad and disappointing that Senator Ewhrudjakpo is making such a derogatory statement against Epie-Atissa,’’ he said.
Izibeya, therefore, tasked Ewhrudjakpo to apologise for his remarks to avoid massive protests against him in Yenagoa.
He also called on Diri not to treat the issue of Fulani herdsmen with levity, maintaining that Bayelsans are becoming helpless and may soon resort to self-help if the government fails to act.
“Let the state government tackle this issue head-on with security agencies before we start taking laws into our hands to protect ourselves and the ancestral lands we inherited from our forebears,” Izibeya added.
