The Special Adviser to the Governor of Bayelsa State on Political Matters, High Chief Collins Cocodia, has described as appalling and mischievous the unwarranted verbal misuse of words by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, on the Governor, Senator Douye Diri, saying the state has witnessed significant progress in just two years, then the entire period Chief Sylva spent in office as Governor.
The former Governor while on a live radio program, in Yenagoa on Saturday, had used insulting words on the Governor, as well as condemning his developmental projects.
High Chief Cocodia in a statement on Sunday in Yenagoa, expressed his disappointment with the Minister of State, who should have known better than the seat of the Governor must be respected and revered and not to be insulted.
The S.A Political stressed that Governor Diri has attracted goodwill from Bayelsans, even from politicians across party divides, and the state was enjoying relative peace, until his unnecessary outburst.
The former Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Productivity, cautioned Sylva to focus on his Ministerial duties which have witnessed various forms of decay since he assumed office.
He lamented that under his watch, Nigerians were having their worst experience in the petroleum sector, with the high cost of the premium motor spirit, and that of Gas.
The S.A Political added they were high hopes that with him as a Petroleum Minister, the benefits due to oil-producing states will be accrued to them, including the 10% demand by host communities, but got a paltry 3% approved by the Senate, liaison with Chief Sylva.
Chief Cocodia asked the former Governor to hide his face in shame, for squandering the state’s resources on frivolities, at clubs and hosting parties with cronies, which was what the state was known for within the country and beyond, during his time as Governor.
He urged Bayelsans to ignore the Minister’s comments, as he is back with his usual propaganda of throwing spanner to the wheels of development, and continue to support the incumbent Governor, who has brought relative peace, political stability, and is accelerating development in the state.
