Embattled Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State yesterday dared the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, which has withheld his clearance to run for a second term, and declared his participation in the November 19 gubernatorial primary.
Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State went against the directive of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to declare his intention to viefor the party’s sole ticket in the November 19 primary election.
The declaration, held at the State Sports Complex?? amid tight security, witnessed solidarity speeches from members of the National Assembly led by Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Forum of Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) led by Miss Peace Owei- Oyambo, representatives of market women, political leaders of the three senatorial districts of the state and non-indigenes in the state.
Armed personnel of the Nigeria Police and the Joint Military Task Force mounted vigilance around the Sports Complex and strategic parts of the state, while many of the party’s supporters were searched before being allowed into the venue of the rally.
Ex-militant leaders led by a former member of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Comrade Eris ‘Commander Ogunboss’ Paul, warned that the national leaders? of the party should be careful when they deliberate on issues that affect the state.
The youth group, led by the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), asked the members of the National Working Committee to review their action regarding Sylva, and assured the governor of their readiness to follow him in any decision he takes on his political future within and outside the party.
The ex-militants and youth groups made their positions known during a show of might rally and declaration organised by the governor, despite the reluctance of the National Working Committee to clear him for the primaries slated to hold this week.
The ex-militant leaders led by Commander Ogunboss said though they were committed advocates for the sustenance of peace in the state, their support was total for the re-election of? Timipre Sylva come 2012. “We are throwing our support for him, because he contributed to the peace we are enjoying now.
“The NWC of the PDP should be careful and ensure they consult well before taking any decision on Bayelsa State, and the people of the state should shun rumours, because? they have not contributed positively to the development of the state,” he said.
Another former militant leader and the state chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria in the state (ALGON), Chief Tiwei Orunimighe,warned the party leadership to respect the agreement entered into with the present administration,
“We have said it before and we are saying it again:
agreement is agreement. We have continued to motivate our people and the people have agreed to vote for Timipre Sylva.”
The IYC national vice president, Comrade Priye Agama, assured the governor that the youths of? the state would be with him, no matter the outcome of? his travails in the PDP.? “If there is problem in the PDP, we would give him Plan B. We want the party to know that President Jonathan is not behind the problem in the state.”
The women groups, including the Forum of Female Political Appointees, the senior special assistant to the governor on new media, Miss Peace Owei Oyanbo, said the people of the state are the ones to determine the destiny of the state and not individuals. She said the massive attendance at the rally was a show of love and trust in the ongoing efforts of the administration to improve the lives of the people. “the people have spoken and those who listen should change their mind and accept the people’s verdict on the re-election of the governor in 2012.”
Addressing the supporters at the rally, the governor? said though he had spoken much within the last few weeks, he wants the people of the state and the nation to place it on record that he has emerged among a few governors who have been screened twice for a primary election, “But I believe the president is supporting me.”