Bayelsa Guber: PDP Dumps Sylva, Others …Clears Seven In Final List

President Goodluck Jonathan (right) with Chairman, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote during the 17th Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, last Thursday.

The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has released the final list of the governorship primaries in Bayelsa State slated for November 19, 2011.

The incumbent Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, failed to make the final list even as the National Working Committee of the party cleared seven out of 11 aspirants that purchased forms to contest the primaries.

The Tide gathered that after the final batch, the former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Ndutimi Alaibe, former Director-General, Nigeria Television Authority, Mr Ben Murray Bruce, Amb. Igali Godknows Bolale and Governor Timipre Sylva, were still not cleared.

The NWC said those cleared to contest the governorship primaries include Orusa Justine Boloubo, Dickson Sariake Harry, Erai Christopher Fullpower, Kalango Michael Youpple, Francis Amaebi, Ekiyegha Francis Korobido and Austin Febo.

A statement by the NWC yesterday, advised all stakeholders in Bayelsa state to note that the list was the final decision on the status of all aspirants for the forth-coming primaries, stating that efforts should be geared towards mobilising party members for the party in-house election.

The NWC said those cleared would be issued with clearance certificates to enable them contest the primaries.

It further warned that no aspirant should use a provisional certificate as a basis for unilaterally declaring himself or herself as a candidate of the party for the 2012 governorship election in Bayelsa State.

The party however reiterated its commitment towards enforcing discipline within the ranks of the party at all levels.

“We shall therefore not hesitate to invoke disciplinary measures on any member who disregards lawful party directives or who engages in acts capable of undermining the party’s cohesion.

Meanwhile, embattled Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa last Saturday in Yenagoa, kicked off his campaigns for the state governorship primaries of his party, the PDP.

The governor was yet to be cleared by the party’s National Working Committee for the contest.

He told his bemused supporters, “Let me tell you one thing, the president is supporting me. All the members of the Senate are supporting me. All the members of the House of Representatives are supporting me, except the one who is contesting.

“All the members of the Bayelsa state House of Assembly, 24 of them are supporting me. All the local government chairmen elected by you are supporting me.

“All the councillors, 105 elected by you are supporting me. Traditional rulers, chiefs, elders, women, market women and youths are supporting me.”

Sylva had on October 26, in Port Harcourt displayed a provisional clearance certificate with serial No. 0008912, allowing him to contest the party’s primary.

Reports indicate that security has been beefed up in Yenagoa and its environs as the governor begins campaign on Saturday for the PDP governorship primaries scheduled for November 19.

Heavy security presence was also noticed at Kolokuma/Opokuma and Sagbama, headquarters of the Local Government Areas of the state.

ASP Eguaveon Emokpai, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), said the situation was part of the measures to contain the security challenges in the state.

Emokpai, who confirmed that policemen were drafted from neighbouring states, said: “We have mobile police units from other states to assist in beefing up the security.”