Youth Leaders Ended Up In Jail Over Patience Jonathan's Cash Gift

Bayelsa State Police Command have confirmed the arrest of seven youth leaders over alleged fighting for N1.5 million largesse donated by First Dame Patience Jonathan in Otuoke.
One of the arrested person is President of the Bayelsa State Chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Bright Igrubia.

Some onlookers state the money was handed to the youths by Mrs. Jonathan while she was on a private visit to Bayelsa State last Tuesday. Others say the youths who staged separate solidarity visits to Mrs. Jonathan engaged in clashes. The groups were led by the members of the National Youths Council of Nigeria, the Otuoke Youth Association, among others.

Initially, Mrs. Jonathan turned down a request to meet with her and to be addressed publicly. However, after some time, she agreed to meet with only 26 members.

"The youths became unruly and could not select 26 representatives," the eyewitness said. "They became angry and abusive. The wife of the President reached out and gave them token of N1.5million. But they fought over the money."

The State Police Commissioner Hillary Okpara has ordered an investigation into the incident. Mr. Igrubia, other executive members were subsequently arrested. The spokesman of the Bayelsa State Police Command, Mr.Alex Akhigbe, gave no details of the development but confirmed the arrests.