N’Delta Youth Leaders Call on President Tinubu to Investigate Alleged Persecution of Former Bayelsa Governor

By Monday Peters, Abuja

A group of Niger Delta youth leaders, under the Congress of Concerned Niger Delta Youth Leaders, have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to scrutinize the alleged political victimization and persecution of former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva.

Sylva, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged involvement in a $14 million scam related to the Atlantic Refinery in his hometown, Brass, Bayelsa State.

The youth leaders claim Sylva’s support for President Tinubu’s administration and his mobilization of Bayelsa APC and followers during the party’s struggles in the state have made him a target for witch-hunting. They question why Niger Deltans were often targeted in investigations, citing examples of Ijaw individuals who have held the office of Minister of Petroleum being investigated.

The group urged anti-graft agencies to remain professional and impartial in their investigations, free from political influence. They believe Sylva’s ordeal is a case of political persecution and call for a swift resolution.

The statement, signed by several youth leaders, appeals to President Tinubu to investigate and ensure no underlying political motives were driving the persecution. They also urged the Niger Delta region to introspect and address its internal conflicts, noting it’s the only region where individuals work to undermine their own people.

The youth leaders’ call highlights concerns about regional dynamics and the need for fair treatment of Niger Delta individuals in national affairs.