Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State has assured his supporters within the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, that there is no basis to think that he has been disqualified to run in the ongoing governorship election in the state.
Governor Sylva said that “what is clear to me and indeed all Nigerians is that there is a deliberate attempt to exclude me from seeking re-election on the platform of the PDP”.
Sylva said that his quest for re-election is “not personal” but borne out of the desire to consolidate on the gains of the last four years.
The governor said this in a statement on Tuesday titled “I’m in the race to win”. The script of the press release stated that “In the past few days, I have read all manner of reports in the media concerning our Bayelsa State, our Peoples Democratic party (PDP), and myself. Specifically, there have been reports that I have been disqualified or going to be disqualified by my party. These reports are 
unfounded, laughable, but disturbing. I have not been disqualified. And there is no basis for my disqualification.
What is clear to me, my supporters, and indeed all lovers of democracy in our dear country Nigeria, is that there is a desperate attempt by certain forces to illegally exclude me from seeking re-election as Governor of Bayelsa State on the platform of the PDP.
On Thursday, 27 October, I appeared before the PDP Gubernatorial Screening Committee for Bayelsa State at our Zonal Secretariat in Port Harcourt. My encounter with the committee was warm and friendly. Consequently, I was issued with a Provisional Clearance Certificate with Serial number 0000012 dated 28 October 2011.
On Sunday, 30 October, I appeared before the Gubernatorial Screening Appeals Committee in Abuja at its invitation. Again, there was nothing to worry about. The committee merely asked me to explain a few issues based on complaints they had received from certain interested quarters. Reports reaching me state without equivocation that this committee also upheld my clearance to contest the PDP Primaries slated for 19 November.
As I speak, no organ of the party has informed me of anything to the contrary.
I am in touch with the national leadership of our great party, including Mr. President. I have received solid assurances at the highest levels that the party would base all its actions concerning the Bayelsa Gubernatorial primaries on law. I am happy about that. As a sitting governor, I expect protection from my party and all its organs as all sorts of machinations can be plotted against me.
I assure all – the people of Bayelsa State, my supporters and others – that I remain in the race for re-election as Governor of Bayelsa State on the platform of the PDP. I am in the race to win. I am a founding member of the PDP. I wish to remain a member of the PDP. And we all look forward to a free, fair and transparent contest.
The decision to seek re-election is not personal. It was the collective decision of our people for a leadership that will consolidate the gains of the past four years. The battle is not about me. It is about Bayelsa State. And it is about the PDP. My overarching goal since assuming office four years ago has been to build a great Bayelsa State in which all Bayelsans – and indeed Nigerians – would be proud of.”
According to a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by the PDP`s National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Rufai Alkali, the leadership of the PDP has cleared four aspirants in the first batch of contestants for the party`s gubernatorial primary in Bayelsa.
The statement said that the decision was taken at the end of the party`s National Working Committee (NWC) meeting held in Abuja.
It explained that the committee took the decision after considering reports on preparations for the forthcoming gubernatorial primaries in the state.
The report was submitted by the Screening Appeal Panel headed by Mrs Abiodun Olujimi, former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State.
The statement quoted Alkali as saying that “after a thorough review of the reports, the leadership of the party has so far cleared the first batch of contestants for the gubernatorial primaries in Bayelsa.’’
It listed the aspirants to include: Mr Oruta Boloubo, Mr Henry Dickson Mr Enai Fullpower and Mr Kalango Youppele.
The statement said the NWC session would continue in order to consider cases of other aspirants on their individual merits.
It urged the party`s members and stakeholders to note that the NWC was handling the exercise painstakingly and would communicate its decisions in due course.
The statement advised party members to await the decisions of the NWC on the issue and to mobilise supporters for success in the election