Former Bayelsa state governor, Timipre Sylva has reacted to allegations
made against him by Adams Oshiomole that he used thugs to disrupt the
smooth election process at the APC governorship primary which held on
Tuesday September 22nd. Sylva's reaction is contained in a statement
released by his
media aide Media Adviser, Doifie Bukoribo, yesterday
night
“It is unfortunate that people like Adams Oshiomhole, the governor of
Edo State and former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, who
pretend to be incorruptible, would conduct himself in the manner in
which he did in relation to the Bayelsa State governorship primary.
It was clear that Oshiomhole never wanted to conduct
the primary as scheduled. First, on his request, the primary was shifted
from its earlier date of Saturday, September 19 to the Tuesday,
September 22 date. The grouse of the delegates was that the primaries
had been shifted once on Oshiomhole’s request. That shift caused enough
hardship already. The ‘comrade’ was again shifting the goal post,
without giving consideration to these hapless delegates. It was that
frustration that we were managing. It is so sad that the governor did
not appreciate our effort. Second, as chairman of the APC Electoral
Committee, Oshiomhole knew full well that accreditation of delegates was
to begin at 8am on Tuesday, September 22, but he came to the venue of
the programme well past 12 noon. After he arrived at that late hour, he
proceeded with a meeting with the committee members and another meeting
with the aspirants. He clearly had preconceived plans about the Bayelsa
APC governorship primary. Third, Oshiomhole cannot really say anything
about the primary election because he had left the venue at the time
voting commenced. Oshiomhole set the process in motion for voting to
commence before he excused himself on the grounds that he was going to
eat, and he mandated other members of the committee to carry on without
him. The world needs to know that the Bayelsa State Electoral Committee
is made up of seven members, and of the seven only Oshiomhole left. The
other six remained, conducted the primary and declared Sylva winner of
the exercise. Fourth, it bothers on pettiness for Governor Oshiomhole to
quote me as antagonist to new entrants to our party. Every discussion I
had with the governor was public. The only private conversation I had
with him was when he walked up to me and asked me if I truly believed he
was working. against my interest. To that I answered ‘YES’. As a man of
integrity (?) he even offered to step down as chairman. If he had
stepped down would that have invalidated the primaries? We should
refrain from exaggerating our worth and integrity. Let other good people
judge our character. After all, I was the one that received all new
entrants. Oshiomole was invited and he did not come. Fifth, Oshiomhole
came to Yenagoa with a clear agenda, which was to get me out of the race
at all cost. We are aware that he had been lobbying at the centre to
get me out of the race in order to pave the way for one of the
aspirants. Indeed, one of the aspirants had boasted openly that
Oshiomhole would cancel the primary once he arrived, shortly before his
arrival. Oshiomhole should not tell lies, if I was not there, contrary
to his insinuation that I rented thugs to manhandle him, the crowd would
have manhandled him. I personally accompanied Oshiomhole to the gate
when he was going to eat. Seventh, if Oshiomhole has anything personal
against me, let him tell the world. We are shocked that the man who
claims to be morally upright with a strong ethical orientation would
land in Yenagoa for an exercise in which he ought to be an impartial
arbiter with a helicopter provided by a friend of one of the
aspirants.”"he said
No comments:
Post a Comment