A political pressure group, Ijaw Political Movement, IPM has urged the the minister of state for Petroleum resources, Chief Timipre Sylva to appreciate close allies who worked diligently since 2014 till he was appointed to the position of a serving minister.
The coordinator of the group, Comrade Bulouebi David in a statement statement to news men in Yenegua Bayelsa State, he urged the minister to go into retrospect and appreciate the fact that
Barrister Soja Smooth stocked with him as a number one loyalist.
Bulouebi said it was surprising that Smooth, the legendary musical icon in Niger Delta could be this abandoned and relegated in the scheme of things, especially political patronage after the election.
He further noted that Soja Smooth has been a rallying point of support for Sylva since the 2015 elections even when some of his supporters felt betrayed by the APC-led government at the centre, as they were left in the cold without any tangible benefit, Smooth, stocked with him, giving Sylva a supportive backup as a patriotic APC member.
He urged the minister to always remember that there is a political culture in Bayelsa and the whole Ijaw Nation for political leaders to show appreciation to faithful loyalists in remembrance of their support and hard works.
The group also remind sylva that, towards the 2019 election, Smooth joined him to convince supporters to have faith and work wholeheartedly with the principal, Sylva, this was done in several media publications despite criticisms.
“It will be discouraging and grave injustice to reward those who fought against your supporters, critics, pretenders and expose your allies, Barrister Soja Smooth to mockery”,
IMP disclosed that Soja Smooth mobilised all members of the group to serve as foot soldier of Sylva. However, despite the outcome of that election the hard-work payed off when Sylvia’s nomination as minister was announced.
The group called on Sylvia display appreciation for loyalty as a virtue which is critical in political leadership by seizing this moment to do the needful. IPM wish him the best as he pilots the affairs of the nation as a honorable minster.
