“Save My Husband Before Bayelsa Burns” — Kariyai Daukoru’s Wife Warns Jonathan, Diri of Looming Youth Protest
By Passman Akpos
YENAGOA, Bayelsa State — The wife of detained Bayelsa youth, Kariyai Daukoru, has issued emotional open letters to former President Goodluck Jonathan and Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, appealing for their intervention while warning that growing anger among young people could lead to protests across the state.
In the separate letters, she described herself as a grieving mother of four whose husband is currently in detention following ongoing legal proceedings. She alleged that her family has suffered immense hardship since Daukoru became involved in a dispute arising from the Azikel Aviation Scholarship programme.
According to the letters, Daukoru was among 776 applicants who sought admission into the aviation scholarship initiative reportedly established by businessman Dr. Eruani Azibapu to train Bayelsa youths as commercial pilots and aircraft engineers in the United States.
The writer claimed that after progressing through the selection process and achieving one of the highest examination scores, her husband was allegedly persuaded to suspend his Petroleum Engineering studies based on assurances that beneficiaries would soon travel abroad.
She further alleged that instead of receiving the promised overseas training, Daukoru and another successful candidate spent about 16 months carrying out various duties at aviation facilities in Swali, Bayelsa State.
The letters also alleged that after questioning aspects of the scholarship programme and filing a civil action before the Bayelsa State High Court, Daukoru was subjected to repeated arrests, detention, torture, and criminal prosecution. She further claimed he was pressured to withdraw his civil suit in exchange for his release.
Addressing former President Jonathan, the writer appealed to him to use his influence as an elder statesman to encourage a peaceful resolution of the dispute.
She called on the former President to ask Dr. Azibapu to respond to the allegations in court and urged that the civil proceedings in Bayelsa be allowed to continue without intimidation.
In her letter to Governor Douye Diri, she urged the governor, as the state’s Chief Security Officer, to protect the rights of Bayelsa youths and ensure that justice is administered without interference.
The writer also warned that frustration among Bayelsa youths over the case was increasing, claiming that plans for protests were gathering momentum.
“My husband is not looking for a payout,” she wrote. “Let justice be done fairly and squarely in the Bayelsa State High Court.”
She maintained that her husband’s only objective was to pursue his legal claims through the courts rather than seek any financial settlement.The letters concluded with appeals for Jonathan and Diri to intervene before tensions escalate, insisting that Daukoru should be allowed to pursue his case through due process.
At the time of filing this report, the allegations contained in the letters had not been independently verified by Tarakirivoice. Dr. Eruani Azibapu has not publicly responded to the specific claims contained in the letters, and the outcome of the ongoing legal proceedings remains before the courts. All parties are entitled to the presumption of innocence and the opportunity to present their cases before the appropriate judicial authorities.
