Bayelsa Governorship Poll: APC Sends Strong Warning To Party Over Timipre Sylva’s Candidature
Bayelsa Governorship Poll: APC Sends Strong Warning To Party Over Timipre Sylva’s Candidature
The All Progressives Congress, APC in Bayelsa State has warned the national leadership of the party against Nigerian former minister, Timipre Sylva’s candidacy in the upcoming governorship election in November, saying it will jeopardise the party’s chances.
According to some APC chieftains, the current political configuration in the state does not support a Sylva’s candidature, particularly the rotation arrangement.
In a petition to the national leadership, the elders warn against monetising the party’s governorship ticket.
The petition read, “As elders, we have to say the truth, especially at trying times like this to save the party from a catastrophic collapse. The truth is, the current political situation in Bayelsa State does not support a Sylva candidature.
“First, Chief Sylva currently does not have the appeal, attraction and followership to bring victory for APC. He has not only polarized the APC, he has also weakened the structures and morale of members for acting out of clannish and self-interest.
“Second, the people of Bayelsa will reject him because they know him. When he was Governor between 2007 and 2012, he showed dictatorial arrogance, ran government according to his private whims and caprice and ultimately failed to develop the state. As a minister, he also failed to attract visible and verifiable development to the State. What else if not greed is fuelling his ambition to return as Governor after 16 years when times have apparently changed?
“Third, the people do not trust him. Chief Sylva himself said in a recent phone-in radio programme in Yenagoa that he is not going to contest for Governor anymore as that chapter of his life is closed.
“Plus, the governorship rotation arrangement among the three senatorial districts in the State has become deeply entrenched as it promotes equity and justice, unity and progress and harmonious relationships. This is the turn of the Central Senatorial District. But Chief Sylva from the East Senatorial District has stepped forward to violate it.
“By the political history of the State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha (now late) from the Central Senatorial District became the first Executive Governor in 1999 and ruled till 2005 when he was removed. His Deputy Governor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan from the East Senatorial District took over staying on till 2007 when he was elevated to the position of Vice-President. Then, Chief Timipre Sylva also from the same East Senatorial District succeeded Jonathan as the Governor, he served for five years. The Governorship, therefore, moved to the third Senatorial District, Bayelsa West. Seriake Dickson emerged and served for two terms.
“With the rotation between the three senatorial districts completed in 2019, the Governorship returned to the Central. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gave its ticket to Senator Douye Diri while our great party presented Chief David Lyon also of the Central Senatorial District. The PDP is set to return Senator Douye Diri.
“The Central Senatorial District accounts for about 50% of the total voting population. The senatorial district suffers the pithy tale of marginalisation and near-total neglect at the national level since the APC won the presidential place in 2015. It is just, equitable and perspicacious for the APC to respond in corresponding language by putting forward someone from the Central.
“After President Buhari was inaugurated in 2015, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri from Bayelsa West Senatorial District was appointed Minister, Prof. Nelson Brambayefa from the same Senatorial District with Sen.Lokpobiri was also appointed, acting Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission while Chief Timipre Sylva from the East was appointed Chairman, Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone.
“Notwithstanding the abnormally, all the stakeholders worked together in 2019 and gave President Muhammadu Buhari, 118,821 votes. APC won a Senatorial seat, two House of Representatives and five State House of Assembly constituencies. For that reason, Chief Sylva was appointed Minister of State, Petroleum Resources. Sadly, he became high-handed, orchestrated deliberate steps to factionalize, weaken party structures, and frustrate other leaders with huge support bases”.
The elders regret that Chief Timipre Sylva and the former Governor-elect, Chief David Lyon, and their supporters vowed to work against each other, which could ultimately harm the party.
Furthermore, Bayelsa people do not trust him, and the rotation arrangement among the three senatorial districts in the State is not favourable to Sylva.
