"Be firm and resolute in your decision to raise new Bayelsan leaders..." - Youths tell Gov. Dickson

- Say Otobo's show of greed and ingratitude should not be a distraction

By Pat PA Okon

The Bayelsa Youths Movement has urged the Governor of the state, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, not to give attention to the recent defection of the Commissioner for Youths, Mr. Ibarakumo Otobo, to the opposition All Progressives Congress.
The Secretary-General of the group, Comrade Elisha Inodu, called on Governor Dickson to be resolute in his decision to raise a new generation of leaders to pilot the affairs of Bayelsa State in a statement on Saturday.
He called on the Governor to ensure that he was not distracted by the betrayal and disloyalty displayed by the former commissioner who was a beneficiary of the visionary leadership provided by the governor.
According to him, Otobo was picked by the governor out of thousands of youths who embraced the values of the Restoration Government and given the opportunity to serve Bayelsa in sensitive positions before his decision to turn his back on his political leaders in pursuit of selfish interest.
He said that Governor Dickson reputed for his unparalleled love for youth development made Otobo, 33,the youngest commissioner in the history of the State in addition to engaging several others as commissioners, special advisers, seniors special assistants and others.
Comrade Inodu said that the governor should not see the action of Otobo as the general tendency of the Bayelsa youth as he acted out of his unbridled greed, selfishness, ingratitude and disloyalty.
The BYM scribe said that majority of the youth populace believed in the ideals and values represented by the Restoration Government and were solidly behind the efforts of the governor to wrest Bayelsa from the grips of underdevelopment.
Indodu said, “The Bayelsa Youths Movement has observed the recent decision of former Commissioner for Youths Development, Ibarakumo Otobo, to defect to the All Progressives Congress,
“As a body, the BYM upholds the right of every citizen to personal decisions as Otobo has made in this case of his defection to the APC.
“However, we are constrained to call on our Governor to remain focussed in his decision to open the political space to the youth populace in Bayelsa.

“He shouldn’t be discouraged by the action of the former commissioner who he gave priority attention out of thousands who supported his Restoration Government and the ideals it represents.
“Governor Dickson made him the youngest commissioner in the history of Bayelsa at the age of 33 because of his love for the youths. He also gave similar opportunities to many youths who are currently serving as commissioners and special advisers and other political positions.
‘It is indeed a fact beyond contestation that the youth populace in Bayelsa has not had it as good!
“The BYM therefore pleads with the Governor not to see this action as the general position of the youth in our dear state. Otobo took a personal decision to satisfy his greed, inordinate ambition, ingratitude, selfishness and other vices which have no place in our group.
‘The governor should consider this act as a call to more laudable action to promote youth development as we are behind him at all time. It is important to add that we find Otobo’s action abhorrent, disappointing and embarrassing.”
Inodu said that it was even a good development that Otobo defected early enough without contaminating other youths in the society.
He stressed the majority of youths with the right values of hardwork, dedication, patriotism being promoted by the Restoration Government were with the Governor and his team.