CNPP Chides PDP, Pledges Support For Sylva

The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) on Wednesday described as undemocratic the non clearance of Governor Timipre Sylva by the PDP for its governorship primary.

The organisation pledged to rally support for Sylva from member-parties in Bayelsa for the 2012 gubernatorial race.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that controversy trailed the final list released by the National Working Committee of the PDP for its primary slated for November 19, 2011.

Seven out of the 11 aspirants that purchased the forms to contest the primary were cleared,but the incumbent Governor, Timipre Sylva, the former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Ndutimi Alaibe, former Director-General, Nigeria Television Authority, Mr Ben Murray Bruce and Amb. Igali Godknows Bolale, were excluded.

In a statement signed by its South-West Secretary, Mr. Austin Nnorom, the CNPP described PDP’s decision as “an imposition that goes against the tenets of democracy globally.”

“The power to decide who represents the party at the polls lies with the members of the party. The PDP National Leadership’s intervention is unjustifiable and overbearing,’’ the party stated.

According to the CNPP, the decision may deprive the people of Bayelsa of qualitative leadership and good governance which they enjoyed under Sylva.

“We will not sit back and watch the people suffer. The CNPP will mobilise all its members in Bayelsa for Sylva,’’ it further stated.

The organisation urged all opposition political leaders and progressives in Nigeria to see the Bayelsa 2012 gubernatorial poll as a challenge that may be detrimental to the nation’s democracy.

“We will ensure that the power to decide who rules Bayelsa still lies with the people in the long run.

“Aside from rallying support for Sylva, the CNPP will embark on a massive sensitisation programme to make the votes count in the election,’’ it added.

INEC had fixed February 11, 2012 for the governorship election in Bayelsa which is one of the five states where the governorship election did not take place during the April 2011 elections.