•••SYLVA CONDEMNS GOVT'S ACTION

Governor Timipre Sylva has condemned the deployment of policemen and other security agents in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Sylva, in a statement entitled, 'Political Anxiety Baylesa State,' issued on his behalf by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ola Doifie, said as the chief security officer of the state, he considers the troops' deployment as uncalled for and capable of endangering the people's fundamental human rights.

According to him, the people of the state should not be intimidated or provoked into any form of violence, as the democratic institutions of Nigeria are capable of handling issues of contest for power.

The statement reads in part: 'Governor Sylva calls on the people of the state to refuse to be intimidated or provoked into any form of violence over the needless troops' deployment. He urges all residents of the state to remain calm and go about their normal businesses, trusting in the ability of our democratic institutions to address the existing political anxiety in Bayelsa State.

'The governor says our democratic institutions have demonstrated the ability to resolve issues arising from the contest for power at all levels

'Governor Sylva thanks the people of the state for their continued support, maturity and patriotism. He advises all parties in the political contest to bear in mind that what is most important now is the interest of Bayelsa State, not the ambition of any individual of group of individuals.'