Confusion in Bayelsa APC as Sylva rejects cancellation of primary election, says he’s APC candidate

A former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, has told the All Progressives Congress National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, that he remains the party’s governorship candidate in the state.

The disputed primary where Sylva emerged as the candidate has been cancelled by the APC national leadership over alleged irregularities and violence.

The outcome of the primary, purported to have been won by Sylva, has continued to trigger controversy.



But the Timipre Sylva Campaign for the Bayelsa State 2015 insisted that Sylva won the primary and remained the authentic candidate for the December 5 governorship poll.

In a statement on Friday by the Media Adviser to Sylva, Mr. Doifie Ola, the campaign organisation said the primary was conducted in accordance with stipulated rules and guidelines and as such, the party had no reason to cancel its outcomes. The statement read, “The APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, does not have the powers to unilaterally annul the primary. We are even shocked that he allowed his name to be used when he has not even received the report from members of the electoral panel.

“Beyond the electoral panel’s report, there is also an Appeals Committee, which has the responsibility to examine complaints arising from the primary election.”

But some delegates to the APC governorship primary and youths lauded the party’s national leadership for cancelling the primary.

The delegates and youths, under the auspices of Bayelsa Youth and Student Volunteers for Progressive Change, also hailed the Edo State Governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, and his electoral committee for standing by the truth and insisting that the right thing should be done.

The BYSVPC, in a communiqué issued on Friday signed by the National Coordinator, Ayere Egbetein; Secretary, B.J. John and Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jonathan Okwa, described the primary as a sham.

The group said the cancellation taught those who desired to get to power through the back door a big lesson.

It condemned the intimidation and physical attacks on the Oshiomhole-led electoral committee.

Also, an APC chieftain in the state, Chief Richard Kpodo, applauded the cancellation of the primary, saying the decision would portray APC as a disciplined party.