The political bloc of one of the governorship aspirants in Bayelsa State, David Lyon, the inaugurated governor-elect, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the last governorship election in Bayelsa, has risen to vehemently protest the resignation of the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, last Friday. The resignation of Sylva was made public on Friday, and one of the loyalists of Lyon, Stephen Ereboh, a former leader of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, on Saturday challenged Sylva’s resignation and the motive to contest for the APC governorship ticket in Bayelsa State for the November 11 election.
Ereboh, speaking on ARISE NEWS television on Saturday, monitored by National Daily from Lagos, recalled that Timipre Sylva had previously told APC members in Bayelsa that he will not contest for governor of the state. The former lawmakers, then, asked what has changed that Sylva is now going against his word of about four years ago. Ereboh asserted the Lyon is the most credible governorship candidate for the APC in Bayelsa State.
Ereboh was optimistic that David Lyon will win the governorship election for the APC in Bayelsa State. He protested: “What is wrong with featuring David Lyon? He won a historical election against an incumbent government that was transiting. Lyon is the most credible candidate for the APC in Bayelsa State. He has the right of first refusal before consideration is given to any other party member for the APC governorship ticket.”
Ereboh noted that Timipre Sylva resigned as minister two weeks after the screening of governorship aspirants in Bayelsa State by the party leaders. He argued that Sylva did not comply with the provisions of the constitution or the electoral act, saying that both legal instruments provide that a political appointee should resign 30 days to the party primary to contest an election. He said that they have information that Sylva had been given provision clearance by the APC leadership in Abuja to contest in the party’s primary election to nominate a governorship candidate for the November election. He noted that Sylva was not among the governorship aspirants screened by the APC two weeks ago, making a strong case of procedural flaws.
Ereboh declared: “We heard he has been given provisional clearance by APC leaders in Abuja to contest for the APC governorship ticket on April 10.
“The constitution and the electoral act give at least 30 days to resign and contest. His resignation was made public on Friday, March 31st, though, they said he back dated it one week behind. There are guidelines, procedures, there are rules. These are procedural flaws.”
Ereboh reiterated that Lyon contested for the governor of Bayelsa State and won on his first attempt, but was unfortunately, disqualified by the Supreme Court in a case of certificate perjury by the deputy governor-elect. He maintained that Lyon remains the best candidate for the APC in the Bayelsa governorship election.