Former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva has reacted to the defection of 68 of his former aides, including his Deputy, Werinipre Seibarogu, from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying he was not moved by the act of betrayal.
He also contended that the move would not stop the APC from taking over the Governorship of the State in 2016.
Speaking in the same vein, the APC Chairman in the State, Tiwei Orunimigha, said the defectors are using the former governor’s name to negotiate for positions at the State and federal levels.
Sylva, had in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by his Media Adviser, Doifie Buokoribo, said the claim by the defectors that the former governor did not consult them before moving to APC was not tenable.
The statement reads, “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.”
“Sylva is a politician who believes in principle even in the face of relentless persecution by the government of the day. 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.”
Bayelsa Chairman of the APC, Mr.Orunimigha, also states, “His former aides are mischief makers. They should stop using Sylva’s name to negotiate for space and positions. They should not use it as a bargaining tool”
“If they claim to be supportive to Goodluck Jonathan, why haven’t they shown their support and work for Goodluck.?It is a shame that these same persons cannot win their wards.”
