Nyiam: Dialogue committee apologises to Oshiomhole

The Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue has apologised to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State over the unruly behaviour of one its members, Col. Tony Nyiam (retd).

Nyiam had led some participants at the conference which held in Benin, on Monday, to shout down the governor when he was making his presentation.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Femi Okurounmu in a letter  titled, “Dialogue Committee condemns unruly behaviour,” apologised to Oshiomhole.

It  read, “The Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue wants to put it on record that we noted the sad incident at today’s (Monday) interactive session with Nigerians from the South-South held in Benin City, Edo State.

“The committee wishes to state its unequivocal commitment and that of its members to the principles of democratic discourse. Although we take special exception to the unruly conduct of one of our members who joined the crowd in shouting down the Comrade Governor of Edo State, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, while he was giving his remarks, the session continued and ended peacefully.”

Okurounmu in the letter dated October 28, 2013, continued, “We want to emphasise that the committee will listen to all shades of opinions in the areas of its mandates and will not henceforth condone the kind of unacceptable behaviour we witnessed in Benin City.

“The committee wishes to express its sincere appreciation to the government and people of Edo State for providing support to the committee in its assignment in the state.”

Meanwhile, Nyiam has denied resigning his membership of the committee.

Nyian in a telephone interview said, “I have not told anybody publicly that I have resigned.”

Also, some Edo youths under the aegis of Ariababho Youth Association have declared Nyiam persona non grata in the state, following his outburst at the sitting of the dialogue committee in the capital and called on the President to urgently replace him.

Punch