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  • Bayelsa 2023: APC escapes ‘second affliction’ – By Ehichioya Ezomon

    Bayelsa 2023: APC escapes ‘second affliction’ – By Ehichioya Ezomon

    Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has 10 days to campaign to regain lost grounds in attempts to reclaim the governorship it won in 2020, but lost via a Supreme Court ruling that terminated Governor-elect David Lyon, 24 hours to his inauguration on February 14, 2020.

    The bombshell – on the eve of St Valentine’s Day, recognised for “celebrating love and friendship,” but which turned the opposite for Mr Lyon – comes as a debarment of APC’s Deputy Governor-elect Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, over alleged forged credentials he submitted to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the November 16, 2019, off-season election for governor in Bayelsa.

    Barely four years down the line, a similar order of an Abuja Federal High Court, issued on October 9, 2023, disqualified APC’s candidate for this November 11 poll, Chief Timipre Sylva, on the grounds that he’s elected twice as governor, and could be inaugurated a third time, in breach of the amended 1999 Constitution that pegs the tenure of governor to two terms of four years each.

    Trial Justice Donatus Okorowo had directed INEC to remove the names of Mr Sylva and his running mate, Mr Joshua Maciver, from the list of candidates for the election, to pre-empt Sylva – should he win Saturday’s poll and sworn in accordingly – from exceeding the eight-year tenure for governorship. So, the APC had to suspend its campaigns in Bayelsa.

    As it awaited the Appeal Court to rule on Sylva’s sack by the lower court, the Bayelsa APC rued its governorship loss in 2020 to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which it defeated at the poll.

    The previous day on February 13, 2020, Mr Lyon had rehearsed the final protocols for his inauguration, and went to bed, dreaming about his graduation from Governor-elect to Executive Governor of Bayelsa State the next day.

    And why not! Two days earlier, on February 11, the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by Senator Heineken Lokpobiri (now Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), over alleged fraudulent APC’s primaries for the November 2019 election.

    Dr Lokpobiri, who got judgment at the High Court, but failed at the Appeal Court, prayed the Supreme Court to void Lyon’s nomination, and declare him the lawful winner of the primary contest, and APC’s candidate.

    But the court’s five-member panel, headed by Justice Inyang Okoro, refused Lokpobiri’s prayer, having filed his writ outside the 14 days allowed by law. “The appellant cause of action arose on 4th September (2019) when he was not declared the winner and not 7th September (when he filed his case),” Justice Okoro ruled.

    So, it’s shocking two days later when the same Supreme Court nullified Lyon’s election based on Degi-Eremienyo’s disqualification over irregularities in his records.

    The unprecedented ruling defied comprehension among polity watchers because one or two of Degi-Eremienyo’s names were consistent in the documents he presented to INEC – indicating that they weren’t forged, but belonged to the same person.

    Actually, as the three-member panel of Justices of the Appeal Court had noted, besides the plaintiffs (Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Senator Duoye Diri) not proving their case against the APC candidates, Degi-Eremienyo submitted an affidavit, “which showed evidence of his change of name from Adeyi-Eremienyo to Degi-Eremienyo.”

    Accordingly, lead Justice Stephen Adah declared: “I agree with the appellant that the owner of the school leaving certificate and the GCE certificate are one and the same and I, therefore, set aside the judgement of the (lower) court.”

    The PDP and Mr Diri had sued Lyon and Degi-Eremienyo, and INEC, to disqualify Degi-Eremienyo over false information in his CF0001 form submitted to INEC for the November 2019 poll in Bayelsa.

    Ruling on the suit on November 12, 2019, Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, held that there’s no connection between the name on Degi-Eremienyo’s school-leaving certificate, first degree (BA), Master’s degree and the affidavits he’d sworn to – a ruling the Court of Appeal set aside, and affirmed the election of the APC candidates.

    But five Justices of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Mary Odili, overruled the Appeal Court reversal of the Abuja Federal High Court exclusion of Degi-Eremienyo, and nullified Mr Lyon’s election, on the grounds that his deputy presented false information to INEC.

    In his lead opinion, Justice Ejembi Eko ordered INEC to withdraw the Certificates of Return to Messrs Lyon and Degi-Eremienyo, and quickly “declare the party with the highest number of lawful votes and geographical spread the winner of the election.”

    That’s how Mr Lyon saw the “Promised Land” of Creek Haven Government House in Yenagoa, Bayelsa’s capital city, without occupying it for a single day. The nearest to doing so was during rehearsals on February 13, 2020, for his scheduled swearing-in.

    That’s also how defeated Senator Diri and Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo became Governor-elect and Deputy Governor-elect overnight, and in a matter of hours, the Governor and Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State on February 14, 2020, prompting Diri to christen himself the “Miracle Governor.”

    Coming to 2023, the Appeal Court in Abuja, on October 31, reinstated Mr Sylva to the ballot he’s delisted by INEC on October 25. Had the court sustained the prior order, APC wouldn’t field candidates for Saturday’s poll, thus making it “two political afflictions” in the Bayelsa chapter within four years.

    A member of the Bayelsa APC, Mr Demesuoyefa Kolomo, filed a suit on June 6, asking the high court to determine whether Sylva was qualified to contest in the election, having occupied office of governor from May 29, 2007 to April 15, 2008 and May 27, 2008 to Jan. 27, 2012, given sections 180(2)(a) and 182(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.

    Delivering judgment on the night of October 9, Justice Okorowo held that having been inaugurated twice and ruled as governor for five years, allowing Sylva to contest would amount to expansion of the constitution or its scope.

    Citing the case of Marwa vs Nyako at the Supreme Court, the judge noted that the drafters of the constitution precluded anybody from being voted for as governor more than twice, adding that the parties to the suit, having agreed that Sylva was voted into office two times, he can’t expand the constitution or its scope, to vie for a third term in office.

    But Sylva – who contended he’s elected once as governor, and cited an April 2008 Court of Appeal ruling that nullified his 2007 election – filed a three-ground notice of appeal, through a team of lawyers, led by Dr. Ahmed Raji (SAN).

    He applied for an order of the appellate court, to stay execution and/or further execution of the entire judgment and the orders contained therein, “pending the hearing and final determination of the appeal lodged against the judgement and orders of this Court before the Court of Appeal, Abuja.”

    He prayed the court for an order of injunction, restraining all Respondents in the appeal from implementing and/or giving effect to the declaratory and executory orders contained in the judgment, noting that Justice Okorowo wrongly assumed jurisdiction by delving into an issue within the domestic affair of a political party.

    Sylva said the judgment had occasioned a grave miscarriage of justice, as the judge failed to properly evaluate, determine and pronounce on a preliminary objection – which challenged the suit’s competence – thereby breaching his right to fair hearing.

    When the case was called on October 27 at the appellate court, Sylva’s lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), and APC’s counsel, K.O. Balogun, urged the court to allow the appeals, set aside the high court judgment and affirm Sylva’s candidacy.

    Mr Kehinde argued that in his first oath-taking, Sylva only spent six months, three weeks and two days in office before the election was annuled, describing the high court judgment as “a hatchet job just to tie this man (Sylva) not to campaign and participate in the election.”

    Also faulting the decision of the high court, Mr Balogun said Sylva was elected Governor of Bayelsa State in 2007, “but within few months, the Court of Appeal (then the final court for governorship election petitions) sacked him.”

    “He (Sylva) contested again in 2008 and won. The eight months that he earlier spent in office was nullified (by the Appeal Court),” Balogun said.

    “What the 1st respondent (Kolomo) is asking this court to do is to deem the nullified months as four years.”

    He accused Kolomo of “fighting a proxy war” (for Sylva’s opponents at the poll), because “he cannot be a member of the APC and be fighting to destroy its candidate and chances at the election.”

    Some members of the Justice Haruna Tsammani-led panel made similar observations during the proceedings. They wondered why Kolomo, who claimed to be an APC member, but not an aspirant at the primaries, would want to destroy his party’s chance in an election!

    Noting that Kolomo could’ve voted for another party in the November poll “if he assumed Mr Sylva did not deserve his vote,” the panel condemned the attitude of lawyers, who failed to advice their clients appropriately, saying, “it is a moral issue.”

    Kolomo’s lawyer, Mr Abiodun Amuda-Kanike (SAN), and INEC’s lawyer, Mr Ahmed Mohamed, prayed the court to dismiss the appeal, and affirm the judgment of the trial court. After lawyers to the parties had adopted their written briefs, the panel reserved verdict, which it delivered on October 31.

    The Appeal Court set aside the high court decision for lack of jurisdiction, and awarded N1 million cost against Kolomo for lack of legal right to pursue Sylva’s disqualification from Saturday’s election.

    Mr Sylva may’ve secured a temporary relief going into the poll, but he’s more huddles to cross, foremost being to upstage Governor Diri, who mocked him over his disqualification, describing him as “dishonest and insincere.”

    In a statement, “Bayelsa Doesn’t Deserve Serial Deceiver As Governor,” Mr Diri said: “Bayelsa needs an honest and sincere leader that is focused on its development and not a man widely known for deception.

    “Timipre Sylva is a man you cannot trust. He displaced all those he promised that he would give the governorship ticket and turned around to become the candidate himself.”

    With Diri having his work cut out for him, will Sylva breast the tape 15 years after his last victory, and reclaim for APC the governorship it lost to PDP in 2020? It’s a matter of five days hence!

  • Bayelsa poll: Court hears fresh suit to stop Diri’s governorship bid

    Bayelsa poll: Court hears fresh suit to stop Diri’s governorship bid

    Less than nine days to the Bayelsa governorship election, a fresh suit seeking the disqualification of Gov. Douye Diri and his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has commenced at a Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja.

    The suit, presently before Justice Emeka Nwite, sought an order of mandatory injunction, directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the names of Diri and Ewhrudjakpo as PDP’s candidates in the Nov. 11 poll.

    It also sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining INEC, its agents, privies or whosoever called, from further publishing their names as standard bearers for the party in the forthcoming election in Bayelsa.

    The suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1448/23 and filed by a Bayelsan woman, Blessing Clement Azibanagbal, through her lawyer, Ifeanyi Nsowu, further sought a declaration that Ewhrudjakpo was not qualified to run as deputy governor under the PDP.

    Azibanagbal, in the originating summons dated Oct. 26 and filed on Oct. 30, sought a declaration that Ewhrudjakpo was also not qualified to be a running mate with Diri.

    Besides, she prayed the court to declare that Ewhrudjakpo had multiple of names without any evidence to proof “that he is the same person.”

    She, therefore, urged the court to declare that the PDP had no candidate in the poll.

    The suit, which was brought under Rule 3, Order 9 of the FHC Civil Procedure Rules, 2019, sought “a declaration that the 3rd defendant (PDP) does not have any qualified candidate to run for the governorship election in Bayelsa.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Diri, Ewhrudjakpo, PDP and INEC are 1st to 4th defendants respectively in the matter

    Raising five issues for determination, Azibanagbal asked whether a first school living certificate holder can run for governorship election of a state in line with provision of 1999 Constitution.

    “Whether the failure of the 1st (Diri);and 3rd defendants (PDP) to provide a candidate that has the qualification to run for the governorship of a state can be a ground to disqualify both candidates.

    “Whether a candidate with multiple names without any evidence to substantiate the names can contest for governorship election in a state.

    “Whether the 2nd defendant (Ewhrudjakpo), submitting only his first school living certificate in his Form EC9 submitted with INEC qualifies him to contest election as deputy governor of Bayelsa State.

    “Considering issues 1 to 4 above, whether this honourable ¢court has jurisdiction to order the 4th defendant to remove the names of 1st and 2nd defendants as candidates in the forthcoming governorship election in Bayelsa State,” it read.

    In the affidavit in support of the originating summons deposed to by Yenle Istifanus, a litigation secretary with Compendium Chambers, the lawyer said she knew as a fact that Azibanagbal, who hails from Bayelsa and as a good citizen of Nigeria, had the locus standi (legal right) to institute the action.

    She said though Diri and Ewhrudjakpo submitted their Form EC9 in INEC which empowered them to contest in the poll, Istifanus said this must be strictly in line with a constitutional provision for qualifications for a person to run for the office of a governor and deputy governor of a state.

    The lawyer, who averred that failure to comply with the said qualification amounted to disqualification of the said candidate, stated that all the documents submitted by Ewhrudjakpo “bear different names with no substantial evidence to substantiate that he is the same person in the said documents.”

    “That I know as a fact that failure of the 2nd defendant to produce documents that bear the same names disqualifies him to contest as a deputy governor of a state,” she said.

    She said it would be in the interest of justice to grant the application as the defendants would not be prejudiced.

    Nwosu, in an ex-parte motion seeking a leave to serve Diri and Ewhrudjakpo at the Government House in Bayelsa, through courier service, moved the application on Friday.

    The suit, which was the only matter in the Friday’s cause list, was heard at the judge’s chamber.

    However, gathered that Justice Nwite granted the prayer.

    He subsequently adjourned the matter until Nov. 30 for hearing.

    NAN

  • Offshore polls: Tinubu boasts, says APC will do well in Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi

    Offshore polls: Tinubu boasts, says APC will do well in Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi

    President Bola Tinubu has expressed optimism about the All Progressives Congress’ chances of victory in the November 11 gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states, saying the APC “will do well” in the polls.

    Tinubu stated that the hard work and records of the candidates, as well as the collective efforts of party officials, members of the APC National Working Committee, and the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, would earn the ruling party victory in the elections.

    The president said the collective efforts of the party chieftains were factors inspiring his optimism in the forthcoming elections.

    He said this at the presentation of the APC flags to the standard-bearers in the elections in Abuja on Thursday, November 2, 2023.

    President Tinubu presented the party flags to Timipre Sylva for Bayelsa State; Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, who is seeking a second-term in office; and Ahmed Usman Ododo for Kogi State.

    Tinubu, according to a statement issued by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, however, urged the governorship candidates as well as the electorate to ensure free and fair elections.

    He said: “All I am pleading for is for free and fair elections. I believe we will do well.

    “I want to thank the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, who is working hard to ensure a handover to our candidate, Usman Ododo. We are happy to have Hope Uzodinma, the great hope of our party and chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum. Thank you for the good job you are doing.

    “Timipre Sylva, congratulations on what you have achieved as a former governor and former minister.

    “We are all facing this crusade for democracy, particularly in this time of elections. It is our hope, and we have Hope Uzodinma as a candidate, that we will always come out victorious.

    “I want to thank the active national leadership of our party, the NWC, and our hardworking chairman. He is doing a good job, and I thank him very much.”

    On his part, Ganduje commended President Tinubu for endorsing the candidates and for taking time out of his busy schedule to present the flags to them.

  • APC reacts to Appeal Court’s reinstatement of Sylva for Bayelsa guber poll

    APC reacts to Appeal Court’s reinstatement of Sylva for Bayelsa guber poll

    The Bayelsa chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has hailed the judgment of the Court of Appeal setting aside the disqualification of Chief Timipre Sylva, the governorship candidate of the party from the Nov 11 poll.

    Mr Doifie Buokoribo, the state APC Publicity Secretary, said this in Yenagoa on Tuesday in a statement.

    “The Appeal Court by its ruling has given the people of Bayelsa a choice on Nov. 11. A choice between light and darkness. A choice between moving to the mountain top and descending to the valley below.

    “A choice between moving forward and backward. Democracy is about choices. And the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in sponsoring this frivolous case has demonstrated its mortal fear of our party, APC, and candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva.

    “The PDP is desperate. They do not want us on the ballot. We thank God that this distraction is now over. Justice has been served,” he said.

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Tuesday reversed the disqualification of the APC candidate for the November poll.

    The Appeal Court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel, ruled that the first respondent (Mr. Demesuoyefa Kolomo) was not an aspirant in the election and therefore lacked the locus standi to file the case; that the upper court cannot exercise jurisdiction where the lower court lacked it; and that the appeal was meritorious and allowed.

  • Guber Polls: Imo, Kogi, Bayelsa most difficult states in Nigeria to conduct elections – INEC

    Guber Polls: Imo, Kogi, Bayelsa most difficult states in Nigeria to conduct elections – INEC

    Mahmood Yakubu, the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC,) on Friday said Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states are the most difficult places to conduct elections.

    According to Yakubu, the difficult terrain and insecurity caused by political actors in the states make it difficult to conduct elections in the areas.

    He made this known while speaking at a meeting of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security in Abuja.

    Yakubu also urged security agencies to tackle those behind insecurity and ensure the protection of lives during elections.

    He said, “The three states of Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi are not the easiest states in Nigeria to conduct elections. The difficult geographical terrain and prevailing insecurity are compounded by negative mobilisation by political actors, especially since the commencement of campaign in public on 14th July 2023.

    “Our message to politicians is that they should call their candidates and supporters to order. Violence and other undemocratic activities such as vote buying, attacks on election officials and disruption of the electoral process must stop.

    “However, ultimate responsibility for election security lies with the security agencies. Our message to the security agencies is to take decisive action against perpetrators of electoral violence.

    “This is the surest way to guarantee a safe environment for the peaceful conduct of elections and electoral activities. In doing so, security personnel on electoral duty should remain neutral and committed to the established professional code of conduct and rules of engagement.”

  • Bayelsa: You can’t take credit for Dickson’s efforts, Sylva tells Diri

    Bayelsa: You can’t take credit for Dickson’s efforts, Sylva tells Diri

    The Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa, Chief Timipre Sylva, on Tuesday said Ex-Gov. Seriake Dickson of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) deserves credit for his work on the Sagbama-Ekeremor road project.

    Sylva applauded Dickson, who is now Senator representing Sagbama/Ekeremor at the National Assembly, for taking a road to Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state after over 40 years.

    Sylva was received by a jubilant crowd when he drove on the road to Ekeremor for his ongoing campaign for the governorship election, slated for Nov. 11.

    He said it was absurd for the incumbent Governor, Douye Diri, to try to take credit for the road constructed by his predecessor.

    He said: “We are grateful to former Gov. Dickson for executing this very vital road. He has written his name in Gold and left a legacy that would speak for him through time.

    “We must give credit to who deserves it and that accolade must go to Dickson. It is a sign of ingratitude for Gov. Douye Diri to appropriate the road to himself”.

    Sylva also hailed the people of Ekeremor for their overwhelming warm reception accorded him when he campaigned in the area ahead of the poll.

    He wondered why Diri had developed the habit of re-inaugurating projects executed by his predecessor without making any reference to former Gov. Dickson.

    He observed that without the sacrifices, hard work and foresight of Dickson, Diri would not have become a governor.

    He recalled that Diri failed the popularity test in 2019 when he was roundly beaten by the APC, predicting that he would fail again in November.

    The former Governor appealed to Ekeremor people to keep faith with him, saying that he would fulfill all the promises he made to them when elected in November.

    It will be recalled the former Gov. Dickson had taken to Sagbama-Ekeremor road project to Ekeremor but the 2022 flood destroyed sections of the road, which Gov. Diri fixed.

    Diri had in his own campaign in the area claimed that he reconstructed the damaged sections, including bridges earlier done by his predecessor and pledged to extend the road to Agge where the state plans to site a seaport.

  • Sylva’s Disqualification: Bayelsa stakeholders want INEC to abide Court’s ruling

    Sylva’s Disqualification: Bayelsa stakeholders want INEC to abide Court’s ruling

    Timipre Sylva, a candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been barred from running in the governor’s race in Bayelsa State scheduled for next month.

    The Bayelsa Democratic Coalition, a group dedicated to promoting open and peaceful government in the state, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to respect this ruling.

    In a press release made available to journalists in Abuja, the Coalition’s coordinator, Orama David, praised the court’s ruling and referred to it as a triumph for democracy.

    He claimed that with Sylva’s disqualification, there are promising indications that the governorship election will be peaceful, free, and fair in contrast to the 2019 election, which was adjudged as one of the most violent in the State.

    He said the decision has not only upheld the principles of justice and the Constitution, but is also seen as a “crucial step towards ensuring a violence-free and credible governorship election in our beloved state, considering the palpable fear of violence, that the earlier participation of Mr. Timipre Sylva, as the candidate of APC has brought into the process.

    The statement reads: “We commend the recent ruling by the Federal High Court disqualifying Mr. Timipre Sylva from the governorship race in Bayelsa State. This landmark judging by his antecedent in previous elections in the state, particularly in 2015, adjudged by many observers to be the deadliest and most bloody in the annals of elections in the State.

    “The Federal High Court’s verdict has reaffirmed our faith in the judicial system and its commitment to upholding the rule of law. We believe that this ruling is a significant milestone, not only in the journey towards a better, more accountable, and violence-free democratic process in Bayelsa State, but removals the spectre of hijacking the will of the people.”

    David said the disqualification of Sylva is in line with the Constitution and represents victory for electoral integrity in the country.

    He said: “Our group recognises the importance of free and fair elections as the cornerstone of a thriving democracy. The disqualification of Mr. Timi Sylva from the governorship race, in line with Constitutional imperatives, represents a victory for electoral integrity and sends a clear message that the democratic process in Nigeria is built on principles of fairness, transparency, and the rule of law.

    “We call on all stakeholders, including political parties, candidates, and the electorate, to uphold the spirit of peaceful and violence-free elections. We urge every Bayelsa citizen to contribute positively to the electoral process, ensuring that our state’s future leadership is determined through issue based campaigns and ballots, not intimidation and bullets.

    “As we approach the forthcoming Governorship Election in Bayelsa State, we encourage INEC, all parties and candidates to respect the court’s decision that Chief Slyva is disqualified, conduct their campaigns within the bounds of the law, and work collaboratively to create an atmosphere of peace and security for the electorate.“As an organisation, we are committed to monitoring the electoral process, promoting transparency, and supporting initiatives that guarantee a peaceful and violence-free Governorship Election, in our state.”

  • Bayelsa guber race: Despite disqualification, Sylva begins massive campaign

    Bayelsa guber race: Despite disqualification, Sylva begins massive campaign

    Immediate past Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, the All Progressives Congress (APC) guber candidate in Bayelsa State, officially launched his campaign for the November 11 poll despite being disqualified as the candidate by the court.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered the verdict in a suit filed by an APC member, Deme Kolomo, against Sylva’s candidacy.

    The court ruled that allowing Sylva to contest the governorship polls would violate the constitution, which prohibits a person from being elected governor more than twice.

    Sylva, who intends to appeal the judgment, pledged to usher in a new era of human capital development, infrastructure improvement, gas development, job creation, and agriculture.

    He began his state-wide campaign in Agbere Community, where he has a special connection, before proceeding to Ebedebiri Community and Sagbama Local Government Council headquarters, all in Sagbama Council Area.

    Sylva promised to complete the abandoned shore protection project in Agbere and enhance development in the area to ensure its residents benefit from democracy.

    He stated, “I consider myself an Agbere son, and that’s why I chose to commence my campaigns in Agbere.

    “We don’t want you to be spectators to development; we want to bring development to you. My incoming government is about human capacity development.”

    Sylva highlighted the need for job creation, empowerment, and development, emphasizing that his government would prioritize the people’s well-being and security. He assured the electorate that he was experienced and prepared to lead the state toward a brighter future.

    He urged the people to vote for the APC, asserting that it would bring prosperity and a better future, while voting out the current government led by Douye Diri and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    TNG also recalls the national chairman of the party, Abdullahi Ganduje declaring that the outcome of the court’s verdict was a minor distraction.

  • BAYELSA guber: Double headache for APC as Lokpobiri reconciles Wike, Diri

    BAYELSA guber: Double headache for APC as Lokpobiri reconciles Wike, Diri

    …grand plot to unsettle Sylva exposed

    …as group asks NWC to sanction Lokpobiri, Lyon, others

    The crisis rocking the Bayelsa State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) took another dimension following report that the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has reconciled the state’s Governor, Senator Douye Diri with his political enemy, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

    A group within APC, under the aegis “Concerned APC Stakeholders (CAPCS) “, revealed that Senator Lokpobiri has settled the rift between Diri and Wike, which arose from the last presidential primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    According to the group, Lokpobiri, leveraging on his closeness to the former governor of Rivers State had prevailed on him to forgive the Bayelsa Governor over his refusal to support him during the intra-party election of PDP, which produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as the presidential standard-bearer of the main opposition party ahead of the 2023 election.

    According to the group, Lokpobiri’s intervention and reconciliation of the feuding politicians were parts of his strategies to garner support for the re-election of the governor in the November 11 governorship election in the state.

    It was gathered that the action of the group was meant to ensure that the APC’s candidate in the election did not emerge victorious in the poll.

    Diri was reported to have incurred the wrath of Wike as the Bayelsa governor abandoned him and supported Atiku Abubakar in the presidential primaries.

    Wike was said to be livid that despite that he released heavy funds to Bayelsa State delegates through Diri, the governor swayed and persuaded the delegates to vote Atiku Abubakar.

    The group, in a press statement by its coordinators, Mr. Nimi Benigha-Amange and Kopiamu Arikibai, said Wike, who is still not pleased with Diri had resolved to back the candidate of APC, Chief, Sylva, before he was persuaded to forgive and throw his weight behind the incumbent governor by the oil minister.

    “In furtherance of his intention to frustrate the election of Timpreye Sylva, Senator Lokpobiri has brought former Governor Wike and Douye Diri together in reconciliation. Although Wike does not have any political influence in Bayelsa state other than his relationship with Lokpobiri, but he can provide funds for any side he favours to win the election.”

    “Former Governor Wike has been unhappy with Douye Diri before now but Senator Lokpobiri has succeeded in reconciling them to enable him to foster and achieve his interest of ensuring Timpreye Sylva fails in the election.”

    “The intensity of sabotage within APC is very pronounced. Prominent APC leaders, who claimed to be aggrieved in one way or the other are holding nocturnal meetings with Douye Diri and PDP leadership to sabotage their party in the election.

    “People like Senator Lokpobiri, David Lyon and some serving and former members of the state and national assemblies, especially those from Timpreye Sylva locality are said to just be playing along with APC, they are all known to be working with PDP to deliver Douye Diri on November 11.”

    “These prominent politicians do not hide their hatred for Timpreye Sylva and they openly say it everywhere that Timpreye Sylva cannot fly and that he is not going to anywhere. They want to finish APC from within in the election. Most of them have been hugely compromised.”

    “But no matter how they pretend, the outcome of the election in their areas will show and demonstrate their genuine commitment to the party.

    “The outcome of the election in their areas will show their political value. It will show what political value do you have and people will judge you mainly by your results. A serving minister, who cannot deliver his unit, ward and local government has shown his political value and worth,” the group added.

    Meanwhile, the group has urged the National Working Committee (NWC) of APC to sanction erring members and leaders of the party in the state.

    “We seize this opportunity to call on our indefatigable National Chairman, His Excellency Abdullahi Ganduje and members of the NWC of our esteemed party to wield the big stick against the saboteurs in our party in order to ensure victory for our candidate, Chief Timpreye Sylva, come November 11th,” they stated.

  • Bayelsa APC elders fault judgment disqualifying Sylva

    Bayelsa APC elders fault judgment disqualifying Sylva

    The Elders Forum, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa has faulted the judgment of the Federal High Court disqualifying the party’s governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, ahead of the Nov. 11 election.

    In a statement issued on Wednesday in Yenagoa, the elders posited that Justice Donatus Okorowo erred in law in his pronouncement that Sylva had taken the oaths of office as a governor twice and was no longer qualified to vie for the governorship ticket of his party.

    In the statement signed by Chief Michael Adomokeme, Chairman of the forum, he contended that Sylva had only taken one oath of office known to law, as the first one referred to by the judge had been nullified by a court of competent jurisdiction.

    “In 2007, Sylva’s first term election was annulled by the court, which also nullified the oath he took when he was sworn-in as the governor.

    “The annulment of the first poll and nullification of that oath by the court had rendered both the election and the oath of office non-existent.

    “The first oath never existed because in the eyes of the law you cannot build something on nothing.

    “Only the oath taken in 2008 is recognised by the law and stands as the only oath so far taken by our candidate,’’ he said

    Adomekeme noted that judges remained imperfect humans, capable of making mistakes in their pronouncements adding that such recognition is the reason why the hierarchy of courts existed in the judicial system.

    He expressed optimism that the appellate court would do justice to this matter.

    “We commend the legal team of our party which swiftly appealed the judgment and applied for a stay of execution of the verdict, which we know is a miscarriage of justice.

    “We believe that the court would not allow the 2019 scenario to repeat itself where, against the will of the people, an unpopular candidate was foisted on our people.

    “Sylva is qualified to contest this election in the spirit and letters of the law because when a court invalidates a situation it remains invalidated, viewed as dead and will no longer have any effect or application in the future.

    “The people of Bayelsa must be allowed to vote for their preferred candidates without mischievously narrowing their chances,’’ he said.

    While describing the development as a temporary setback, Adomekeme advised the Peoples’ Democratic Party and its candidate, Gov. Douye Diri to stop “their wishful thinking of relying on the courts to remain in power and prepare for the election’’.

    “We know they are fretting and that is why they are mischievously shopping for help in courts.

    “This one has failed because it will not stand. Governor Douye Diri must go and face his defeat at the poll because the peoples will must stand,’’ he said.

    The chairman urged the APC members, residents of Bayelsa and other stakeholders not to be discouraged by the judgment stressing that it would be upturned by the court of appeal.