Bayelsa poll: Don’t interfere in APC gov primary, group warns Slyva

TRACKING >>A group, Bayelsa APC Vanguard for Peace, has told the leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva not to interfere in the conduct of the primary.

In a statement by coordinator of the group, Prince Mike Egberi, said there were signs of disunity in the party already urging Sylva against imposition of his preferred aspirants.

Egberi said: “If care is not taken, what happened in Rivers and Zamfara states may happen in Bayelsa State. This was how it started in those states and now, the APC does not have elected officials in those states. This is what happens when one man wants to be in charge of everything.

“The appearance of David Lyon on the list of aspirants came because Sylva wants to dictate what is going on in the party. We will advise that he should provide leadership and ensure that every stakeholder is carried along.

“A situation where some people are under-rated because of the feeling that they are not important is not good for our party. Sylva should sit down with Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and move the party forward. The macabre dance being displayed now will only destroy this party and give room to outsiders to take advantage of our disunity and bury the party, just like they did in Rivers and Bayelsa states.

“We are aware that Lyon is Sylva’s aspirant. We are also aware that he brought some other persons to contest. But he hates the guts of other contenders who are seeking the same office but without his blessing. He should be a father to all and remain neutral as the leader that he is. Anything short of this will destroy the party.”

The APC stakeholders said it was shameful and worrisome that with just a few days to the party primary, there was no clear direction on whether the primary will hold and which method would be adopted.

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Egberi said: “Ee have it on good authority that it is only one person that insisted on the use of direct primary method in selecting the party’s flagbearer. Virtually all members preferred indirect primary, being the method to be used in Kogi.

“So, our issue is this; why is it okay to use indirect primary somewhere else and then in Bayelsa State, another method is preferred. The party is not fair to us and this must be considered in the interest of our collective interest.

“We are not comfortable with this whole thing; our party leaders must, as a matter of necessity, find a way around this impending calamity that is about befall our party. We cannot afford to lose Bayelsa state because of the selfish interest of somebody or a group of persons.”