Diri, Oyedepo, IYC, Edo people solidarise with campaigners

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church, (aka Winners Chapel), David Oyedepo, the Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC) and Edo people, especially residents of Benin City, have backed the protests.

To give vent to his support, Diri joined the hundreds of trekkers who undertook a 15-kiolometre march on Saturday and yesterday through the Mbiama-Yenagoa expressway in the state capital.

The peaceful exercise resulted in traffic gridlock on the highway.

The activists had blocked the entrance of the Government House, Yenagoa for hours before the governor decided to join the rally.There was, however, a mild drama, as some of the marchers attacked the newly elected IYC President, Comrade Peter Igbifa, over his alleged reluctance to call out Ijaw youths for the protest.

Igbifa, who was on a courtesy visit to the governor, was visited with uncomplimentary remarks by the irate campaigners.

The IYC pledged its support via the spokesperson, Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe. Oyedepo, who was delivering a sermon yesterday at Ota, Ogun State, described as aberration and sacrilege any form of violence against the protesting Nigerians.

He stated that everybody has right of expression, adding that shooting of peaceful protesters was condemnable.
DECLARING their solidarity, Edo people, especially residents of Benin City, yesterday, trekked long distances to get to their destinations following the blockade of major highways across the state by the protesters.

Comprising youths, the young and old, the residents were seen heading for Sunday worship on foot, while health workers and others on essential duties abandoned their vehicles to catch up.

At the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), which is a stone throw to the Ugbowo main campus of the university, medical doctors promptly attended to a young boy that was brought in by the protesters. The minor was involved in an accident at the UBTH/UNIBEN main gate.

The patient was admitted to the Children Emergency (CHER) ward of the hospital.