Sheathe your swords, contribute to community dev —Sylva

AGAINST the backdrop of the crisis that claimed one life while several others sustained injuries, former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, has condemned the face-off that led to the death of Ayibatonye Okio, while many sustained serious injuries; and called for unity among the warring youths.

It will be recalled that the Community Development Committee (CDC), leadership tussle degenerated to a free for all, as youths loyal to the APC and All Progressive Grand Alliance(APGA) in Okpoama community in Brass Island clashed.

Emphasising the importance of unity, Sylva, who is an All Progressive Congress Leader in Bayelsa State, noted that without peace there would be no development.

Sylva spoke through his Media Adviser, Boukoribo Dofie Ola, in a statement made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, adding that leadership is ordained by God, and that it was needless for the youths to engage themselves in fighting over who becomes the CDC Chairman in the community.

The former governor, who decried the clash in the community, noted that there was an appropriate channel to direct their grievances, adding that it was completely against the law to resort to violence, as it would heighten chaotic situation rather than promote peace and unity.

‘’All those involved in the dastardly act of creating tension and unleashing violence in our communities should turn a new leaf because the law does not respect of public peace.

‘’No meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of rancor and acrimony; rather, it will lead to under-development of a people.

Sylva, however, sympathised with many that were injured and the family of the deceased and prayed for the fortitude to bear the   loss.

He also appealed to parents and community leaders to monitor and guide the activities of the youths in the community to forestall a reccurrence.

The former governor, however, called on the operatives of the Operation Delta Safe to do a lot more to stamp out mayhem from the communities in order to ensure peace and unity is sustained in Okpoama kingdom.

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