Politics
Bayelsa Guber Poll: Sylva Is Not Sellable Candidate For APC – Party Chieftain
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Bayelsa state, Hon. Sunday Frank Oputu, has warned the party not to field the former governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva, as the party’s flagbearer in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the State.
Oputu, a former chairman of the defunct CNPP in the State, said, the APC stands a better chance of winning the elections if the party allows a credible and transparent primaries that will produce another candidate and not Sylva, noting that he (Sylva) is not a sellable candidate.
He disclosed that some stalwarts of the APC secretly met other stakeholders of the opposition party in the state and they have given them the assurance of supporting other candidate of the APC apart from Sylva should the PDP fail in also conducting free and transparent primaries.
Oputu, who was optimistic that his party will restore the lost hope of the people of the state if massively supported to win the general elections, reiterated that 95 percent of aggrieved PDP members will work with the APC candidate after primaries as long as it is not Sylva.
“This is the realities on ground; the candidature of Sylva cannot win election again, so we don’t have to make that mistake of fielding him. If it is another candidate, all those that will be disappointed by what Dickson is trying to do with the PDP has given us assurance that they will join and support us”
“We all understand that he still has 4 years to lead as governor constitutionally but it doesn’t mean that it is now, the timing is wrong. If we flag Sylva, the party will definitely lose to the PDP.”
He said “One thing I have been telling Sylva is that if APC does not win election till our time passes then we are failed politicians and this is the last chance through another person not him”
“We are also praying that he gets the ministerial slot, so that he can stay in Abuja and allow someone else to run for the election.”
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.