2nd November, 2011
Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, says he is still in the race to clinch the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ticket for the governorship election in the state.
He stated this at a news conference in the wake of rumours that his party is not keen on giving him the ticket.
The rumours became rife after the party’s screening panel yesterday released the names of four aspirants that have been cleared to contest the party’s primary. He is not one of those cleared.
In his statement at the news conference, Governor Sylva said: “In the past few days, I have read all manner of reports in the media concerning our Bayelsa State, our Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and myself. Specifically, there have been reports that I have been disqualified or going to be disqualified by my party. These reports are unfounded, laughable, but disturbing. I have not been disqualified. And there is no basis for my disqualification.
“What is clear to me, my supporters, and indeed all lovers of democracy in our dear country Nigeria, is that there is a desperate attempt by certain forces to illegally exclude me from seeking re-election as Governor of Bayelsa State on the platform of the PDP.
On Thursday, 27 October, I appeared before the PDP Gubernatorial Screening Committee for Bayelsa State at our Zonal Secretariat in Port Harcourt. My encounter with the committee was warm and friendly. Consequently, I was issued with a Provisional Clearance Certificate with Serial number 0000012 dated 28 October 2011.
“On Sunday, 30 October, I appeared before the Gubernatorial Screening Appeals Committee in Abuja at its invitation. Again, there was nothing to worry about. The committee merely asked me to explain a few issues based on complaints they had received from certain interested quarters. Reports reaching me state without equivocation that this committee also upheld my clearance to contest the PDP Primaries slated for 19 November.
“As I speak, no organ of the party has informed me of anything to the contrary.
“I am in touch with the national leadership of our great party, including Mr. President. I have received solid assurances at the highest levels that the party would base all its actions concerning the Bayelsa Gubernatorial primaries on law. I am happy about that. As a sitting governor, I expect protection from my party and all its organs as all sorts of machinations can be plotted against me.
“I assure all – the people of Bayelsa State, my supporters and others – that I remain in the race for re-election as Governor of Bayelsa State on the platform of the PDP. I am in the race to win. I am a founding member of the PDP. I wish to remain a member of the PDP. And we all look forward to a free, fair and transparent contest.
“The decision to seek re-election is not personal. It was the collective decision of our people for a leadership that will consolidate the gains of the past four years. The battle is not about me. It is about Bayelsa State. And it is about the PDP. My overarching goal since assuming office four years ago has been to build a great Bayelsa State in which all Bayelsans – and indeed Nigerians – would be proud of.”