Bayelsa Govt Fixes Meeting With Aggrieved Teachers On Protest Day

The Bayelsa State Government has invited representatives of aggrieved applicants from the cancelled teachers recruitment exercise to a meeting with the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, in a move aimed at defusing tensions over a planned protest scheduled to begin on Monday.

The protest, expected to run from Monday, July 28, to Friday, August 1, 2025, is being organised by individuals who participated in the scrapped recruitment process.

However, the government has described the planned demonstration as “unnecessary,” stating that the issues raised by the applicants have already been addressed.

A statement issued by the Commissioner for Education, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, cautioned that the planned procession could pose a threat to public order and may be exploited by those with ulterior motives. She urged the affected individuals to shelve the protest and embrace dialogue.

As part of efforts to sustain engagement and prevent unrest, the state government has scheduled a meeting with the leadership of the aggrieved applicants for Monday, July 28—the same day the protest is due to commence. The meeting will take place at 2 p.m. at the Conference Hall of the Deputy Governor’s Office, Government House, Yenagoa.

“The government remains committed to open dialogue and constructive engagement,” the statement noted, adding that peaceful resolution remains the preferred approach to addressing grievances.

The cancelled recruitment exercise had earlier drawn criticism from some applicants, prompting renewed calls for transparency and clarity on the way forward.

Monday’s meeting is expected to offer an opportunity for both sides to exchange views and find a common ground.