By Franklyn Ebiye
It is not always that one gets to see a whole state stand up in unison for or against the candidature of a particular politician.
For the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources,Chief Timipre Sylva, the heavy burden of rejection both within and outside his political party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) is frustrating.
The case of Sylva, who is challenging the widely accepted incumbent Governor, Senator Douye Diri, of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP),Senator Douye Diri, is far more complicated.
Indeed, it took less than three years of Governor Diri in office to win the confidence and acceptance of the people for bringing peace, security , infrastructural projects, inclusiveness and party unity, to the State.
While Gov. Douye Diri acceptance is across the Eight local government areas and across various political party lines, the Sylva story is that of frustration and rejection.
As frustrating as it could be, people are rejecting his cash offers in exchange for support.
Sylva’s ambition has suffered immensely and there is absolutely no future with him.
All over Bayelsa, the story in the last two weeks has been more about Sylva and his rejection by known allies.
Chief Timipre Sylva, a former Governor and immediate past Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, has lost the goodwill of key leaders of his party and their supporters.
Is it not funny that Sylva, who is banking on federal might and possible bribery of electoral officials, lacks solid home front, within APC and outside, as many are against his candidacy and have told him pointedly they would not support him.
Stallwarts of the Party, who hitherto were considered Sylva loyalists and die hards, have announced their tactical withrawal of support for his Guber ambition out of his alleged disrespect to their years of loyalty.
Reputable politicians such as the one time Speaker of the State House of Assembly and Former Acting Governor, Chief Werinipre Seibarugu, former NASS member from Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Senator Nimi Barigha Amange, a Former member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli and Former Member of the State House of Assembly and Former Senatorial candidate of APC, Chief Robert Enogha among others have dumped Sylva.
While he is engaged in desperate “online shopping” for new followership, the likes of the 2019 APC Governorship candidate, Chief David Lyon, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heinekan Lokpobiri, reputable lawyer and politician, Festus Daumiebi have taken to photo resolution with Chief Timipre Sylva but can not forget his treachery and disrespect in Bayelsa.
Unfortunately, supporters of Lyon, Suny-Goli, Gabriel Jonah, the leader of the Otita Force and a few others have reportedly pitch their tents with the Prosperity Administration.
The camp of the APC Guber candidate, Timipre Sylva is in disarray to say the least.
The people of Bayelsa State today are standing firmly with incumbent Governor, Senator Douye Diri.
Franklyn Ebiye, writes from Yenagoa.
