Election Violence Fears? Mass Exodus Hits Hausa Community In Bayelsa State

There is a noticeable panic among residents of the Hausa Community in Bayelsa State following the mass exodus of northern indigenes from the state.The leader of the Hausa Community in Bayelsa State, Alhaji Dahiru Yau Katsina, while speaking with newsmen in Yenagoa, said though they have appealed for calm among Hausa indigenes, the mass exodus is worrisome.Alhaji Dahiru Yau Katsine, said the Hausa Community in the State had met with authorities of the Security agencies and have been assured of adequate security of lives and property during and after the elections. He said they were also cautioned against traveling which might result in accidents and loss of their properties.”
He wondered why people could still embark on these mass exit when they have been living with their host communities in harmony and peace, stressing that he called the managers of most of the Northern states transport companies over the development, but they said they were performing their duties of transportation.Alhaji Yau who has been in Bayelsa State before its creation, averred that the Hausa community has resolved to mobilise to vote massively for the candidates of their choice devoid of ethnic or tribal sentiments in the forthcoming election, saying that whether Moslem or Christian what Nigerians want are leaders who would address the problems of the masses such as unemployment, insecurity and infrastructures so that Nigerians can live happily in any part of the country they chose to settle to do their businesses.

He disclosed, while conducting journalists round Tombia market where majority of the Hausa traders do their businesses, that due to the insurgency in some parts of the north many Hausas had fled to Bayelsa State to take refuse and eke out a living. He added that their leaving may be because of the need to go home and vote for the candidates of their choice and not for fear of any violence during the elections."

Culled from Leadership Newspapers