A group, the Pan Nigeria Democratic Alliance (PNDA) has warned the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, not to involve President Bola Tinubu in his bid to win the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State.
The group, which spoke through its Convener, Chief Olaitan Adewale, in a statement, said as a true democrat who has paid his dues, the President should not allow the antics of anybody or group who wants to circumvent the process to attain political office against the will and choice of the majority.
“We are particularly surprised at the desperation of some people whose antics have already led to violence, death and displacements in some parts of the state particularly in Basambiri-Nembe. This has been the pattern in Nembe and Brass in every election cycle particularly those that Sylva is involved.
“Bayelsans still remember how the governorship primary of the APC was marred with violence and gross irregularities. During the primary poll, Sylva reportedly got over 58,000 votes, and other co-contestants were said to have secured a little over 10,000 votes.
“The truth of the matter is that the exercise was a mere allocation of votes and stuffing of ballot boxes. Chief David Lyon was allocated less than 3,000 votes and he reportedly came fourth and could not challenge the outcome of the exercise Such a thing would not be allowed in the coming governorship election. This is no time to count on violence and manipulation of the process to win elections. This is a period of good governance,” he said.
The group urged Tinubu to caution security agencies, especially the police, adding they should desist from being partial in their intervention in Bayelsa.
PNDA called on the Acting Inspector- General of Police (lGP), Mr Tunji Egbetokun, to rein his men.
“We have been closely monitoring the political developments in Bayelsa with keen interest. Polls after polls including those conducted by APC pollsters and close associates of the the APC candidate have given no chance for him to win a free and fair election. This development is not about APC as a party, but the antecedents of the candidate who has been rejected at the poll a number of times,” he said.
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PNDA also charged the APC candidate to note the disaffection of the leaders of the APC in the state with the way he is handling the party like a sole administrator and their grouse about him, urging him to settle his party’s internal crisis.
Adewale stated that his group is concerned about the undemocratic approach by the APC candidate and the general developments in the State, adding that whatever happens during the poll could have ripple effects nationally.
“The subterranean moves to compromise the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC as reported in the media are also known to us and we appeal to those behind such moves to desist forthwith. Every Bayelsan and Nigerians are watching the development with keen interest,” he said.
The group further urged the President on strengthening democratic institutions.