Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State yesterday formally declared his ambition on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for re-election in the 2012 gubernatorial poll in the state.
The governor claimed to have the backing of President Goodluck Jonathan inspite of the overwhelming fact to the contrary. Sylva said seven out of the eight members of the National Assembly from the state were behind his support, with the exception of Seriake Dickson, who is equally a PDP governorship aspirant.
The governor, who spoke yesterday in Yenagoa, the state capital, while formally declaring his gubernatorial ambition said he had been cleared twice for the governorship election.
Sylva made this declaration at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, even as several campaign groups and supporters thronged the venue with their bands. Dignitaries that graced the event included former President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and Professor Emeritus, Kimse Okoko; Senators Heineken Lokpobiri and Clever Ikisikpo; Reprentatives Warman Ogoriba and Foingha Jepthah; and Deputy Governor, Werinipre Seibarugu, among others.
However, the State Chairman of PDP, James Dugo, was conspicuously absent at the event. Sylva, who distributed his provisional clearance certificate given to him by the PDP screening committee in Port Harcourt, informed the audience that the 105 councillors, council chairmen, non-indigenes in the state, market women and youths were also in support of his ambition.
The governor noted that only the people of the state could decide who would rule the state, stressing that Bayelsa was the only state in the country that had enjoyed improved power supply. He said further: ÒMy first four years in the state have laid a solid foundation in the health, education, infrastructure and power sectors. We have already become the leader of power generation in Nigeria.
We have brought peace and a new lease of life to Bayelsa people. That is why I have the courage to stand before you to make my declaration.Ó Earlier, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri said the National Working Committee of the party lacked the powers to screen any aspirant, saying that it was only the screening committee that had such powers.
Lokpobiri faulted the subjection of Sylva to another screening exercise after having been cleared alongside other aspirants in Port Harcourt. The lawmaker said they would vote at the ward delegate election on Monday (tomorrow) and hope there would be no malpractices during the poll.
In his comments, Okoko said he had followed the activities of SylvaÕs administration and had decided to support the governor due to his developmental strides in the state. Okoko urged Bayelsans to ensure that the governor is reelected at the elections slated for next February. Meanwhile, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party is keeping mum over the development.
A member who spoke on condition of anoymity said Ò this is no time to speak, not until the NWC meets and take a stand, it is only then that we can comment