Bayelsa Not Safe For Us – Lawmaker

Bayelsa lawmakers have given reasons for seeking refuge in Government House since they commenced impeachment procedings on the state’s Deputy Governor, Mr Peremobowei Ebebi, on June 1.

The Tide’s source reports that the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Culture and Tourism, Hon. Kombowei Benson (Southern-Ijaw Constituency IV), attributed their stay at Government House to lack of security in the state.

Addressing newsmen at Flat 10 in the Super Lodge inside Government House last Saturday, Benson said that the lawmakers were afraid because of the insecurity and incessant bomb blasts in the state capital and its environs.

He also said that the Assembly quarters narrowly escaped being blasted by unknown persons last Wednesday when an explosion occurred close to it.

The legislator said that many of his colleagues were now taking refuge in Port Harcourt and Lagos while others were taking refuge inside the Government House Lodge.

According to him, “the state is in a panicky situation as bomb blasts hit streets and private homes in the state capital. Insecurity is everywhere; live is no longer safe.

“Bayelsa State is filled with problem of insecurity; there are cases of bomb blasts here and there in Yenagoa,” he said.

The lawmaker also debunked rumours that the sum of N50 million was given to each of the 17 legislators who signed the impeachment notice by the state government before initiating the impeachment of the Deputy Governor.

He also denied allegations that they were promised to be paid constituency project allowance by the State Government as reasons for wanting to impeach the Deputy Governor.

According to him, the impeachment of the Deputy Governor was neither done for any personal grudge nor was any lawmaker sponsored by any politician.

Benson gave reasons for the notice of impeachment to include misunderstanding between the Deputy and the Governor, protest and unnecessary insult by Ebebi as reasons for the notice.

He said: “the Assembly deems it necessary to serve the Deputy Governor, Peremabowei Ebebi the notice of impeachment based on his incessant insults and the diversion of N290 million meant for his medical treatment in Germany”.

Benson, however, said the House of Assembly would follow due process in the matter and that the Deputy Governor would be given chance to defend himself.