The Bayelsa State Executive Council (SEC) of the Radio Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigerian (RATTAWU) has condemned in strong terms the attack of staff and destruction of property at the state owned Radio Station (97.1 Glory FM) on Friday, by some yet to be identified persons over the Supreme Court Judgment nullifying the election of Chief David Lyon of the APC as governor of the state.
The State Chairman Comrade David Emiebor & State Secretary, Comrade Biboere Ekiye-Adobeni in a statement , described the action as barbaric , primitive and unacceptable as the issue ordinarily has nothing to do with radio station.
The union also expressed dismay over the attack on its members who sustained various levels of injuries, destruction of some vehicles and valuable broadcast equipment in the station.
The Union called on the Police and other security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are brought to book and ensure that there is adequate security of lives and property especially in broadcast houses.
The statement further urged the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency Senator Douye Diri to put security of RATTAWU members and broadcast establishments as key in his administration’s policy thrust.
Meanwhile, management of Radio Bayelsa has suspended nine workers over the attack on the station by hoodlums in protest against Supreme Court’s judgment that sacked erstwhile governor-elect, David Lyon.
The General Manager of the station,Mr John Idumange in a statement, said the nine staff were advised to proceed on a one-month compulsory leave to allow the radio station to conduct a preliminary investigation into the incident.
Similarly, some section of the secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was also burnt during the protest, which made the Bayelsa Police Command to impose a three-day dusk-to-dusk curfew in the state.
Recall that the apex court had ruled that Lyon’s Deputy, Degi Ereminyo, submitted forged documents which made them ineligible to contest the state’s governorship election in the first instance.
By Roland Ekama,Lagos
