Bayelsa govt dissociates Diri from reports alleging sectional bias by FG

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State Government has dismissed online media reports alleging that Gov Douye Diri on Tuesday accused the Federal Government of sectional bias in a breakfast television show.

A statement issued by Mr Ayibaina Duba, Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, on Thursday, described the report as fake news calculated to pitch the Bayelsa government against the President Muhammadu Buhari led government.

The government described the report which accused the federal government of sectional bias in the handling of the case of the proclaimed leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as falsehood.

According to the statement, the views expressed by Diri on the television programme only re-echoed the position of the Southern Governors advocating for a Southern President in 2023 and had nothing to do with the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu or any other fellow.

“However, for the 43 minutes that the governor’s interview lasted, he at no time mentioned or alluded to any arrested person including Nnamdi Kanu, nor did he accuse President Muhammadu Buhari of sectional bias.

“Rather, the governor only discussed the Southern Governors’ resolution which reemphasised their commitment to one, just and egalitarian Nigeria.

“We are therefore at a loss as to what could have premeditated to the malicious, wicked and irresponsible online report if it was not an agenda to set the Federal Government against the Bayelsa State Government and to undermine the governor worked hard to achieve.in efforts at bringing every stakeholder Onboard at undertaking their obligations to the land and people of our state,” the statement read in part.

The government urged the public to disregard the reports as they are false and fabricated by mischievous people with uncivilised intentions.