Gubernatorial Race: Sylva says there is sinister plot against his candidacy… As PDP approves 4 aspirants
Gov Timipre Sylva has decried attempt by People Democratic Party(PDP) to prevent him from contesting the Bayelsa state 2012 gubernatorial elections under the platform of the party. In his words, 'What is clear to me, my supporters, and indeed all lovers of
democracy in our dear country Nigeria, is that there is a desperate attempt by certain forces to illegally exclude me from seeking re-election as Governor of Bayelsa State on the platform of the PDP'.
In a press statement issued by the governor, and made available to huhuonline.com, he said despite move oust him, 'He assure all - the people of Bayelsa State, his supporters and others - that he remain in the race for re-election as Governor of Bayelsa State on the platform of the PDP.
He said that he is in the race to win. 'I am a founding member of the PDP. I wish to remain a member of the PDP. And we all look forward to a free, fair and transparent contest'.
Governor Timipre Sylva stated that the decision to seek re-election is not personal. It was the collective decision of our people for a leadership that will consolidate the gains of the past four years. The battle is not about me. It is about Bayelsa State. And it is about the PDP. My overarching goal since assuming office four years ago has been to build a great Bayelsa State in which all Bayelsans - and indeed Nigerians - would be proud of.
'I assure all - the people of Bayelsa State, my supporters and others - that I remain in the race for re-election as Governor of Bayelsa State on the platform of the PDP. I am in the race to win. I am a founding member of the PDP. I wish to remain a member of the PDP. And we all look forward to a free, fair and transparent contest.
Speaking further, Governor Timipre Sylva Chronicled his ordeal, hear him:
'In the past few days, I have read all manner of reports in the media concerning our Bayelsa State, our Peoples Democratic party (PDP), and myself. Specifically, there have been reports that I have been disqualified or going to be disqualified by my party. These reports are unfounded, laughable, but disturbing. I have not been disqualified. And there is no basis for my disqualification.
'What is clear to me, my supporters, and indeed all lovers of democracy in our dear country Nigeria, is that there is a desperate attempt by certain forces to illegally exclude me from seeking re-election as Governor of Bayelsa State on the platform of the PDP.
'On Thursday, 27 October, I appeared before the PDP Gubernatorial Screening Committee for Bayelsa State at our Zonal Secretariat in Port Harcourt. My encounter with the committee was warm and friendly. Consequently, I was issued with a Provisional Clearance Certificate with Serial number 0000012 dated 28 October 2011.
'On Sunday, 30 October, I appeared before the Gubernatorial Screening Appeals Committee in Abuja at its invitation. Again, there was nothing to worry about. The committee merely asked me to explain a few issues based on complaints they had received from certain interested quarters. Reports reaching me state without equivocation that this committee also upheld my clearance to contest the PDP Primaries slated for 19 November.
'As I speak, no organ of the party has informed me of anything to the contrary.
'I am in touch with the national leadership of our great party, including Mr. President. I have received solid assurances at the highest levels that the party would base all its actions concerning the Bayelsa Gubernatorial primaries on law. I am happy about that. As a sitting governor, I expect protection from my party and all its organs as all sorts of machinations can be plotted against me.
'I assure all - the people of Bayelsa State, my supporters and others - that I remain in the race for re-election as Governor of Bayelsa State on the platform of the PDP. I am in the race to win. I am a founding member of the PDP. I wish to remain a member of the PDP. And we all look forward to a free, fair and transparent contest.
'The decision to seek re-election is not personal. It was the collective decision of our people for a leadership that will consolidate the gains of the past four years. The battle is not about me. It is about Bayelsa State. And it is about the PDP. My overarching goal since assuming office four years ago has been to build a great Bayelsa State in which all Bayelsans - and indeed Nigerians - would be proud of.'
Against this backdrop,huhuonline.com understands that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has ratified the decision reached by the Gubernatorial Screening Committee on Sunday, excluding Governor Timipre Sylva from contesting the Bayelsa state 2012 gubernatorial elections under the platform of the PDP.
The final decision of the NWC has therefore put paid to speculations that the present predicament of Governor Timipre Sylva could be surmounted after his appeal against an earlier position of the screening panel which had delisted him from among successful aspirants to the exalted seat of governance in Bayelsa state, come 2012.
A press statement issued by Prof, Rufai Ahmed Alkali, National Publicity Secretary of People Democratic Party and made available to huhuonline.com, said, 'The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held an emergency meeting on the 31st of October, 2011, and considered reports on the preparations for the forthcoming Gubernatorial Primaries in Bayelsa State. It also received the report of the Screening Appeal Panel headed by Her Excellency Abiodun Olujimi, Former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State'.
'After a thorough review of the reports of the Screening Panel and the Screening Appeal Panel, the leadership of the Party has so far cleared the first batch of contestants for the Gubernatorial Primaries in Bayelsa State as follows'.
i. Orufa Justine Boloubo;
ii. Henry Seriake Dickson;
iii. Enai Christopher Fullpower; and
iv. Kalango Michael Youppele
'The NWC session to conclude the review exercise continues in order to consider cases of other aspirants on their individual merits. All party members, particularly stakeholders in Bayelsa State are to please note that the NWC is handling this exercise painstakingly and shall communicate all its decisions in due course'.
'Party members are therefore advised to await the decisions of the NWC on this issue and mobilize all our supporters for the success of the forthcoming primaries'.