Persons With Disabilities Protest Over Suspension Of Member From Office In Niger Delta University
The Albino Foundation Public Notice
There was pandemonium in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, as policemen released tear gas on commuters and Persons With Disabilities (PLWDs) at Tombia roundabout in the state capital.
The incident left several commuters and people living with disabilities in pain and anguish. Also, vehicular and economic activities were grounded on PWD took to the streets of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital to protest the alleged suspension of a deputy bursar who is a member of the group by the authorities of the state owned Niger Delta University, NDU.
It was learnt that the deputy bursar of the institution was allegedly barred from contesting for the vacant position of a substantive bursar of the institution on account of his physical disability.
The peaceful protesters who converged at the popular Tombia Roundabout where they staged their protest were led by the State Chairman of Persons Living With Disabilities, PLWD, Mr. Eric Ikilowei.
Ikilowei, however, appealed to the Bayelsa state Governor, Senator Douye Diri, to wade into the matter and call the Vice Chancellor of the NDU Prof. Samuel Edoumiekumo to order and reinstate the deputy bursar of the institution.
The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions such as Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Gowon Edoumiekumo Lift The Suspension Of Deputy Bursar; Samuel Gowon Go, We Don’t Want You Again; The VC Is Highhanded and Governor Douye Diri, Save Our Souls, among others.
The peaceful protest almost turned violent when policemen fired canisters to disperse the demonstrators after failed attempts by some senior officers to stop the protest.
Ikilowei, who later spoke with journalists during the protest, said they resorted to the rally after several efforts to reach out to the state government to intervene in the matter failed.
He noted that the last time they protested and were invited by the state Commissioner of Police (CP), he was detained and taken to court.
