The Pan Nigeria Democratic Alliance (PNDA) has issued a cautionary message to Chief Timipre Sylva, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State. The group advised him against involving President Bola Tinubu in any negative actions in his fervor to secure victory in the upcoming November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State.
Through its spokesperson, Chief Olaitan Adewale, the group conveyed its stance from Abuja. It emphasized that President Tinubu, as a seasoned democrat who has earned his stripes, should not be swayed by the tactics of any individual or faction seeking to subvert the proper political processes to attain office, especially if it goes against the wishes and preferences of the majority.
“We are particularly surprised at the desperation of some people whose antics have already led to violence, death and displacements in some parts of the state particularly in Basambiri-Nembe. This has been the pattern in Nembe and Brass in every election cycle particularly those that Mr. Sylva is involved.
“The difference, however, in this one is the boast that they have the backing of President Tinubu to influence the outcome of the poll to favour Sylva, the APC candidate.
“Bayelsans still remember how the governorship primary of the APC was married with violence and gross irregularities. The event was slated for an hotel called Doncunt. During the sham labelled primary poll, Sylva reportedly got over 58,000 votes, and other co-contestants were said to have secured a little over 10,000 votes. The question is, did video or any pictorial evidence prove that almost 70,000 crammed into such a venue? Another one is, where were the committed APC faithfuls during the recent general elections? Did they not vote for their party?
“The truth of the matter is that the exercise was a mere allocation of votes and stuffing of ballot boxes. Chief David Lyon was allocated less than 3,000 votes and he reportedly came fourth and could not challenge the outcome of the exercise Such a thing would not be allowed in the coming governorship election. This is no time to count on violence and manipulation of the process to win elections. This is a period of good governance. The intention to use this same crude approach can only succeed if Bayelsans do not stand up to his antics. Otherwise the Adamawa debacle shall be a child’s play.
The group further asked President Tinubu to caution security agencies, especially the police, whose leadership has made Sylva’s house their second home.
They reminded the security agents, especially policemen, that the blood of innocent persons would hunt them if they fail to desist from being partial in their intervention in Bayelsa.
PNDA called on the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr Tunji Egbetokun, to rein his men in and remember that posterity judges every action taken by anybody.
“We have been closely monitoring the political developments in Bayelsa with keen interest. Polls after polls including those conducted by APC pollsters and close associates of the the APC candidate have given no chance for him to win a free and fair election. This development is not about APC as a party, but the antecedents of the candidate who has been rejected at the poll a number of times.”
The PNDA also called upon the APC candidate to acknowledge the dissatisfaction among the state’s APC leaders regarding his management of the party, likening it to that of a sole administrator. The group highlighted the concerns of these leaders, alongside the public’s discontent with him, and urged him to address the internal conflicts within his party as a first step.
Adewale noted that his organization is troubled by the undemocratic tactics employed by the APC candidate and the unfolding events in Bayless State. He emphasized the state’s significance as an integral part of Nigeria and stressed that the outcomes of the upcoming election could have widespread implications.
“The subterranean moves to compromise the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC as reported in the media are also known to us and we appeal to those behind such moves to desist forthwith. Every Bayelsan and even Nigerian is watching the development with keen interest,”
Additionally, the group urged President Tinubu to not only speak about democratic principles but also embody them in action. This call came after his recent appeal to the United States government to adopt policies that support independent African democracies, given the challenges posed by anti-democratic forces both within and outside the continent. This appeal was made during a visit by the American Under Secretary to Aso Rock Villa in Abuja on August 26th.
