Sylva Berates Former Aides For Joining PDP

The former Governor of
Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, has described the alleged decamping of his  political allies to the ruling Peoples Democratic party (PDP) as inconsequential and of no effect on him and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement signed by his media adviser, Doifie Ola, Chief  Sylva said their claims of being with him was not only immoral and deceitful, but also aimed at currying favour from the PDP as they were never in the APC.
The statement reads in part: “Sylva wishes to make it clear that the said members of EBGOF were never members of APC in Bayelsa State, as they even confirmed in their own letter.
“In the APC equation, in particular, and in the politics of Bayelsa State and Nigeria, in general, the group is of no consequence, collectively and severally.
“The reference to Sylva in the said letter by the group was in very poor taste, as they have been on their own since he left office on 27 January, 2012. It is, therefore, immoral to claim association with him in order to curry favour with whomever they wish.
“As a democrat, Sylva believes it is the right of every individual to decide whom to associate or not to associate with. He is, however, not disturbed by a media blitz around a formal announcement by a few individuals whose political inclinations are common knowledge even since the time he was governor of Bayelsa State.”
The statement described Sylva as a politician who believes in principle even in the face of relentless persecution by the government of the day, saying the APC, which he leads in Bayelsa State, has maintained a consistently increasing followership, despite the antiques and jitters of Abuja and their proxies in the state.
“We know for a fact that huge inducements are at play here and that arrangements have been concluded for a solidarity visit to the mastermind of this so-called disassociation from Sylva.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the APC train is on a steady course in Bayelsa State, and no propaganda can derail it,” Sylva said
Sylva’s former aides including his deputy, Honourable  Werinipre Saibarugu, his commissioners and special assistants at a recent occasion, said they were back to PDP.
Seibarugu said, at no point in time did they abandon the PDP for another party, adding that even though our leader has identified with another party, we remain committed to the PDP.
According to him, we are using this occasion to debunk the insinuation that we have left the ruling party. We are here to strongly affirm our commitment and loyalty to the party, Mr. President and the present administration in the state.
Receiving them back into the party, the State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, described the decision of the affected party faithful as a welcome development.
According to him, “what unites us is bigger than party affiliation. We are first of all Bayelsans and Ijaw people. Parties go, but we remain united by a common destiny and it is in that respect, that I join the chairman and the leaders of the party in receiving you back into the fold”.