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Tag: Bayelsa APC

  • Bayelsa APC, PDP fight over lawmaker’s allegations

    •’Dickson forcing Agip to sack firm’ •Claims irresponsible, mischievous, says ruling party

    The Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is quarrelling with a member of the House of Assembly, Col. Benard Kenebai, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following allegations of criminal activities levelled against the Darlong Security Services (DSS).

    The security firm, owned by David Lyon, a loyalist of former Governor Timipre Sylva, is handling surveillance contract for the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in the state.

    Kenebai yesterday insisted on his motion that the firm engaged in illegal activities in the creeks and swamps of the state.

    The lawmaker, who represents Sagbama Constituency 2, said the motion, which compelled the Assembly to adopt a resolution to check activities of the firm, was in the public interest.

    Kenebai said the motion became imperative following security reports that the company engaged in illegal activities.

    The company had denied the allegations, describing it as ill-conceived, malicious, unfounded and politically-motivated.

    But Kenebai alleged the company, established to tackle oil theft, illegal bunkering and other crimes was culpable.

    Kenebai, a former Security Adviser to the goverment, said there was nothing political about the resolution, insisting that the Assembly acted on its mandate to ensure peace in the state.

    The lawmaker said communities, such as Ondewari, Korokoresi, among others, were under attack from operatives of the company’s task force.

    He called on the people not to be swayed by reactions by Agip’s  agents, and challenged the management to allow a probe into the allegation that it was recruiting cultists and stockpiling arms.

    He faulted an attempt by the security firm to involve Governor Seriake Dickson, instead of clearing its name.

    “Darlong Security Services has gone out of its original mandate and has started inflicting pains, hardship and sorrow to the people of Southern Ijaw and other areas of their operation. Their activities have become a recipe for chaos, which needs to be stemmed immediately.

    “As an Assembly, we have received complaints of the illegal activities of the Taskforce of Darlong Security Services. It has done more harm than good. So, upon the presentation of the motion, the Assembly resolved as follows: To call on the governor to intervene and call the firm to order”

    “It also mandated the House Committee on Security and Special Duties to further investigate the issue and report back to the House. ‘’And finally, we called on our members at the National Assembly to raise the issue on the floor of the National Assemmbly”.

    Reacting in an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, the state chapter of the APC said Dickson should be held responsible for allegedly creating crisis in the state.

    The party, in the letter, signed by its state Chairman, Jothan Amos, and Secretary Alabo Martins, accused the governor of pressuring the management of Agip to withdraw contracts awarded to members of the party.

    The letter said: “Agip has no issue with our members, whose companies are delivering services to it. Companies owned by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are also contractors to the company.

    “We are at a loss as to why the governor would want to choose clients for a multinational oil company. Bayelsa State belongs to all of us and no one should be denied business opportunities on the basis of party affiliation.

    “The APC in Bayelsa would like to advise the management of Agip to stay out of politics and work with clients that meet Gberigbe professional standards”.

    However, the PDP asked the APC to stop playing politics with security of the state.

    The state Chairman of PDP, Cleopas Moses, said it was unfair for the APC to accuse Dickson of masterminding the company’s travails.

    Moses wondered how Dickson, who respects separation of power and the rule of law could have been responsible for a resolution of the Assembly.

    He said the assembly only exercised its constitutional duties and its actions became inevitable following the security threat posed by operatives of the company especially in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

    The PDP chairman noted that the action of the APC amounted to an attempt to intimidate the  assembly from carrying out its constitutional duties.

    The party ?also frowned on the alleged refusal of the firm to subject itself for investigation despite alleged overwhelming evidence against it.

    “It is unfortunate that the APC will involve themselves in a matter that is not political. This is what we have been saying that the APC plays politics with everything including security. So we are not surprised but however wish to express our profound disappointment.

    “The PDP in Bayelsa will advise the APC to stop treating an ailment with the wrong drugs. They should know that their attempt to robe Governor Dickson into the issue will end in futility. Let them go and ask their chieftain to come out and clear his company’s name or be ready to face the legal consequence”, he said.

     

  • Bayelsa APC, group quarrel over use of cultists for elections

    •Govt blames party leaders for payroll fraud

    A socio-political group, the Niger Delta Peace Initiative (NDPI) yesterday accused the Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state, of recruiting cultists as part of its preparations for the 2019 general elections.

    The group ýdescribed the APC as currently constituted in the state as a party of cultists and alleged that the state leader of the party, former Governor Timipre Sylva was wooing members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join his party.

    The President of NDPI, Diepreye Ayah, in a statement ýsaid Sylva lured the immediate past Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Ibarakumo Otobo to join the APC after promising him the ticket of the party for the Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency.

    Ayah said the APC leader met with Otobo in Abuja, where he made the promise, just the same way he promised Osonkinme Blankson the same ticket.

    Ayah said the APC leader used similar tactics prior to the last governorship election to woo members of the PDP to the APC after assuring them of juicy positions which was never fulfilled.

    He said based on the assurances, most of the persons, who joined the APC sold their ýpersonal property to fund the governorship campaign of Sylva but later became bankrupt.

    Ayah said that Sylva was exploiting the greed of some members of the restoration government by promising them tickets ýfor various platform to run in the 2019 elections.

    The NDPI President said political appointees in the present administration who were always complaining of no money in the system ýshould stop being ungrateful but rather be contented that they had jobs and were earning reasonable salaries.

    While adding that the APC had nothing good to offer, Ayah called on young people of Bayelsa to be careful of their choices alleging that in the APC leader would only use and dump them.

    But the state Publicity Secretary, APC, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, described the claims as baseless and irresponsible.

    Referring to the group as faceless, Buokoribo said: “l don’t respond to faceless groups, who make baseless, irresponsible and ungodly claims.”

    Bayelsa State Government at the weekend also blamed the mess in the state’s public sector on the chieftains of the APC.

    The government said the APC leaders created room for payroll fraud, employment racketeering and other unethical practices when they ruled the state especially during the administration of former Governor Timipre Sylva.

    The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, spoke at Twon Brass, Brass Local Government Area, in the ongoing town hall meeting on public sector reforms.

    Iworiso-Markson was reacting to the claims by the Chairman of the APC, Mr. Jothan Amos, that the state government sacked 28,000 workers under the guise of reforms.

    But the commissioner said the style of governance of the immediate past administration created rooms for rot and decay in the public sector.

    He accused the past administration of leaving behind huge debts and over-bloated wage bills which  he said the present administration was addressing through the ongoing reforms.

    Iworiso-Markson said it would be wrong and most unpatriotic for any right-thinking Bayelsan to

    He said: “Bayelsans will not make the mistake of allowing such characters to lead them again as they lack the political will to do what is right to move the state forward”

    ”We are not bothered because the reforms have come to stay and nothing will stop us from implementing them. Because they do not mean well for the state, they have started promising people that they will reinstate the ghost workers that have been removed from the payroll.

    ”It is unfortunate and indeed shocking that the APC members in their delusion are promising those affected by the reforms that if they take over power come 2020, they will reverse the reforms and reinstate them back to work.”

    The Caretaker Committee Chairman of Brass Local Government Area, Mr. Victor Isaiah commended the efforts of the reform team, noting that the council was saving an average of N10million monthly.

     

     

  • ‘Bayelsa APC undergoing restructuring’

    ‘Bayelsa APC undergoing restructuring’

    The acting Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa, Mr. Joseph Fafi, said on Tuesday the party was undergoing restructuring to unseat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in next year’s general elections.

    Fafi said the party under his leadership would overcome its challenges and emerge as the only viable platform for people of Bayelsa.

    Speaking when the Bayelsa Federated Newspaper Publishers Association (BAFENPA) visited him at the party’s secretariat in Yenagoa, the chairman said the PDP failed to develop the state despite being in power since the beginning of the current democratic dispensation.

    He lamented that the state had nothing to show for occupying the Presidency for over six years under the PDP.

    “It is high time the people of Bayelsa State joined the ‘change wagon’. The collaboration among APC states has brought much dividends to the respective states in terms of agricultural production, manufacturing and other areas.

    “Bayelsa State cannot afford to continue to play opposition politics.  That is why APC is the only viable option we have today in Bayelsa State,” Fafi said.

    He thanked BAFENPA for the visit, saying the APC was ready to embrace everybody.

    He said the APC would soon organise a ceremony to receive all the various groups and individuals that had already indicated interest to defect to the party.

    In his address, the Chairman of BAFENPA, Mr. Ayebaitari Easterday, congratulated Fafi on his new position and pledged to support him in the tasks ahead.

  • Protest rocks Bayelsa APC over chairman’s expulsion

    •Oruminighe remains chairman, say loyalists 

    Protesters, yesterday, barricaded the secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, following the alleged expulsion of the party Chairman, Chief Tiwe Oruminighe.

    The angry demonstrators, who blocked major streets in Yenagoa, maintained that Oruminighe remained the chairman of the party in the state.

    They insisted there was misinformation on the alleged sanction against Oruminighe, his deputy, Mr. Eddy Julius, and the party’s Secretary, Mr. Marlin Daniel.

    Among the protesters were the party’s 105 ward chairmen, the eight local government chairmen, women, youths and some elders of the party.

    They dared the National Working Committee (NWC),  saying the state’s chapter of the party “is not for sale”.

    APC’s National Headquarters, at the weekend, said Oruminighe had been expelled from the party and confirmed the suspension of Julius and Daniel for alleged anti-party activities.

    In a letter, dated August 4 titled: “Expulsion from the Party”, APC said the decision on Oruminighe was reached at the 23rd regular meeting of its National Working Committee (NWC).

    The letter signed by the National Secretary of the party, Mr. Mai Buni, said the NWC took the action following recommendations of the APC Southsouth Zonal Executive Committee.

    But the protesters said persons against Oruminighe were playing pranks and manipulating some persons at the national headquarters to issue conflicting letters of sanction to the chairman and his loyalists.

    A party elder and Senatorial Vice-Chairman, Chris Alagoa and other APC stalwarts like Livinus Opuakpa, Phil Erepade and Jephthah Iyekoroghe, insisted on the chairmanship of Oruminighe.

    Opuakpa said it was unfortunate the party was being thrown into confusion at a time it should be preparing  for the next general election.

    He said: “There is need to join this vanguard to forestall this misinformation because it is unfortunate that we find ourselves in this situation at this critical time when we should be preparing to win elections in 2019.

    “Unfortunately, the national committee that took this decision to suspend our constitutionally-elected chairman, secretary and deputy, if they had done so; must have been misinformed deliberately  by those seeking the soul of this party, to see that they trade with it, destroy it so that we will go nowhere as far as APC elections are concerned in this state.

    “We are here in this protest to tell all Bayelsans and indeed all Nigerains that APC is not in any crisis, never in any crisis. Nobody has been suspended because suspension of any executive must emanate from the state party, which will be communicated to the NWC and the NEC to ratify.

    “APC is not for sale, there are some that are out to take the soul of this party and trade with it and we will resist this with all legal and constitutional strength at our disposal.”

    He warned that any attempt to hijack the party from the founding members will be resisted, adding that APC lost the last election because of some questionable characters in the party.

    Also speaking, Iyekoroghe said: “All the 105 ward chairmen in Bayelsa State APC are saying there is nothing like suspending the state chairman, Chief Tiwe Oruminighe. If there will be anything like that, due process must be followed.

    “The executive of the Bayelsa APC, led by Chief Orunmighe, remains. There is no letter from the national body, not even a phone call. We read about it on the social media, so the purported suspension cannot hold.”

     

     

  • Bayelsa APC crisis deepens as Sylva’s faction rejects peace panel

    Crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State has deepened following a decision of the party’s faction to reject the reconciliation committee established by APC state’s Chairman, Chief Tiwe Oruminighe.

    It was gathered that a faction of the state executive committee loyal to the party’s state leader and former Governor Timipre Sylva kicked against the committee and described the action of Oruminighe as against the constitution of the party.

    Oruminighe assembled 12 elders at the party’s secretariat, Yenagoa, and mandated them to take appropriate measures to resolve the problems ravaging the party.

    Members of the reconciliation committee are Ambassador Felix Oboro, Chairman; Chief Livinus Opuakpa, Secretary; former acting governor, Chief Nestor Binabo; Senator Clever Ikisikpo and Helen Iyalagha.

    Others are Dr. Douye Aganaba, Chief Yousou Iron, Godspower Okpoi, Kolovie Obhou, Retired Captain Yebei, Nalaguo Chris and Dr. Abila.

    The chairman, who relieved the party’s ordeal in the last governorship election, blamed the electoral misfortune of the APC to what he referred to as “small carelessness.”

    He said: “We have been into some serious issues. We came with a platform promising to change Bayelsa State. We are still on that course. We went to the election and from election we went to the court. We are done with the court.”

    Fortune said: “The said committee is made up factional members in the party that are loyal to the embattled Chairman, Oruminighe and therefore cannot achieve any peace deal amongst executive members in the party.

    “Even some members that were enlisted into the committee didn’t attend the inauguration of the committee because they were not informed about the idea until the day the committee was inaugurated.”

  • Sylva to Dickson: Stop destabilising Bayelsa APC

    Sylva to Dickson: Stop destabilising Bayelsa APC

    Former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, Tuesday, warned Governor Seriake Dickson against his alleged continual moves to destablise the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Sylva said Dickson, his rival in the last controversial governorship election in the state, was currently circulating falsehood against him and key members of the party to cause disaffection in APC.

    The former governor in a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Mr.  Doifie Buokoribo, noted that the governor resorted to using discredited and suspended members of APC as moles to cause internal disaffection in the party and blackmail the party leaders.

    Sylva said Dickson’s devilish conspiracy against APC would always be exposed and demonised, adding that it was an effort in futility.

    He said: “Of late, Dickson and his party, Peoples Democratic Party, have re-enacted their pastime of spreading falsehood about APC and its leaders in Bayelsa State and trying to create dissension where none exists.

    “They had tried that before and during the last governorship election in the state. When they failed miserably, they turned to forces external to Bayelsa, but inside the election management body and armed militia community, which they used to steal the people’s votes.

    “After he was awarded victory, one would have thought that a man who ‘won’ election would concentrate on governance. But Dickson would not. Living under the shadow of fear of losing the stolen mandate, since APC filed a petition at the election tribunal, Dickson has applied every available mischief to try to destabilise the party and blackmail its leaders.

    “They have now procured the services of some discredited officials of APC, who were suspended recently. These renegades are being used by Dickson and PDP to spread wild, unsubstantiated allegations against Sylva and the Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.

    “Fabricating stories about Sylva and APC has proved to be more than just a passing fad for Dickson. It has become policy – the only ostensible policy of the administration since his swearing in. The latest email from Dickson’s media aide, Daniel Markson (dmb2co@yahoo.com), to some reporters last Sunday, 3 April at 16:24 hours, clearly show how the Dickson government throws caution to the wind in its haste to blackmail APC.

    “Dickson has since being awarded victory at the governorship election manifested understandable nervousness on the governorship seat. But there should be a limit to anxiety. He should stop his mission in futility and await the outcome of the electoral courts. Neither his nervousness nor his current mischievous publications can stop the wind of justice that is about to blow him out of his usurped seat.”

     

  • Bayelsa APC hails Tinubu, Osinbajo, others

    Bayelsa APC hails Tinubu, Osinbajo, others

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Brass Constituency II, Bayelsa State, has thanked the party’s national leadership, especially the National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir David Lawal, for supporting the people in their effort to free themselves from “PDP-imposed poverty”.

    They hailed the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the APC Governorship Election Campaign Council, Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, as well as other members of the council for their dedication.

    In a statement yesterday, following the successful grand finale of the APC governorship campaign in Bayelsa State, the constituency’s leaders, Abaye Ayebatonyo and Fayenengigha Jacob, said: “The massive nationwide support shows that the country values Bayelsa State people.”

    The constituency expressed gratitude to “Bayelsa people for supporting our son, the APC governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva.”

    Brass Constituency II is Sylva’s home base.

    The statement said: “We thank especially, the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and the members of the APC National Working Committee. We appreciate the dedication of the chairman, deputy chairman and other members of the APC Governorship Election Campaign Council.

    “Your support has been great in the historic effort by our people to free the state from the regime of poverty and underdevelopment foisted and supervised by the PDP.

    “The overwhelming support for Chief Sylva and APC in Bayelsa State from the APC family nationally and locally is a worthy recognition of the wonderful potentials of the candidate and the party in the state.

    “The APC family in Brass Constituency II and, indeed, the whole of Bayelsa State, pledge to justify the huge confidence reposed in us as the party steers the ship of the state, by the grace of God, after the December 5 election.

    “We are bolstered by the support of the APC national leadership, and we promise to come out en masse tomorrow to reclaim our state and free the people from years of PDP-imposed poverty. We will win, by God’s grace.”

     

  • Bayelsa APC youths defect to PDP

    Bayelsa APC youths defect to PDP

    •Governor: don’t vote for anti-ljaw party 

    About 1,000 youths of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ahead of the December 5 governorship election.

    It was gathered that the defectors were received by Governor Seriake Dickson at the Banquet Hall of the Government House at the weekend.

    Dickson told the youth that they were the future of the state and the Ijaw nation.

    The governor urged them to defend their votes in the election.

    He noted that anyone who loved the Ijaw nation would not have anything to do with the APC.

    Dickson, who was elated by the decision of the youth, renamed the group the Patriotic Bayelsa Youth Forum (PBYF).

    The governor hailed their leader, Okilo Matthew, describing him as a true Ijaw man.

    He urged the youth to get the group ready for the task ahead, adding that he would encourage them to increase their membership and become relevant in the scheme of things.

    Dickson assured them that there would be tight security during the election, saying they should not to be intimidated by any threat from the APC.

    He said: “This election is about the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC). Sensitise your members, friends and colleagues about the security measures at polling units before, during and after the election. The era of ballot stuffing and snatching is gone. Don’t be intimidated by APC’s threats.”

    The governor also told the youth that his administration would make a difference in the lives of the people.

    He said: “The era of monkey dey work, baboon dey chop is gone. That is why we will be meeting with you after our victory to say a proper thank you.”

    Dickson also offered direct appointment to two of the group’s leaders – Okilo Matthew and Momotimi Macaulay.

    The governor pledged to assist two ladies in the group, Caroline Samson and Queen Soromo, who makes beads and a hair stylist, with financial support from the state-owned Izon-Ebe Microfinance Bank, to enhance their businesses.

    Matthew, who is also chairs the Community Development Committee (CDC), said the residents’ decision to abandon Sylva and APC for Dickson was informed by several factors.

    The group’s spokesperson, Momotimi Macaulay, noted that after an analysis of the situation, they decided to work with the PDP.

    He said: “Our decision to leave APC was informed by several factors, including the prevailing peace, which was revived by the present government. We, from Southern Ijaw, are aware of the daily killings and maiming of our youths by the previous regime. But with the Dickson government, we now know peace.

    “Secondly, when we talk of education, I recall during my tour of some communities, before this government came on board, at Toru-Ebeni, I met a group of children sitting at a village square. I thought they were in a market square. But upon a close observation, I discovered they were actually school children studying under such inhuman condition.

    “Your Excellency, the reason we are gathered here is because of your purposeful leadership. When I visited that same community recently, I discovered that the governor has built and equipped a new school.”

    “That is just one of the numerous projects that this administration has built across the state. We are here to tell you that your votes are secured in Southern Ijaw. We will not sell our votes for any reason. We are here to let you know that we are true youths of Bayelsa State.”

    He also commended the governor for his empowerment programmes enjoyed by the youths, noting that he benefited from the recent Restoration Cup, which, he said, played a major role in the unity that communities have embraced in the area.

    He added that the group was aware of the monthly stipends government pays to their parents, uncles and aunties and thanked the governor as he affirmed the group’s total support for PDP.

    “We are all registered voters, we are going to work with other group and in Southern Ijaw, your votes will count. Our question was that, what has Sylva forgotten in the government house? A man, who couldn’t manage the vast resources then, can’t manage what is coming to the state now”, he said.

  • ‘Dickson fuelling disunity in Bayelsa APC’

    ‘Dickson fuelling disunity in Bayelsa APC’

    The Timipre Sylva Campaign Organisation has accused the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, Governor Seriake Dickson, of sponsoring a media publication about the purported plot to arrest the All Progressives Congress state chairman, Mr. Tiwe Orunimighe. This came on the heels of media reports that the APC governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, has persuaded the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, to order Orunimighe’s arrest.

    In a statement signed by Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, the campaign office said the false publication amounts to meddlessness in the affairs of the APC.

    The statement reads: “Hon. Seriake Dickson and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have since the beginning of the campaign for the December 5 governorship election become ruthless interfering busybodies in the affairs of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The fascination with the APC and Chief Timipre Sylva is understandable, especially for a governor who hardly has any achievements to point to after nearly four years in office. Besides, Dickson and the PDP cannot afford not to be interested in the APC; a political party the vast majority of people in Bayelsa State are looking up to for redemption from the current regime of deceit and maladministration.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, we want to state clearly that the APC in Bayelsa State is united. We and, indeed, the people of Bayelsa, cannot be distracted by the campaign of calumny by the governor and his party, because they do not have any bankable achievements to showcase to the people, in seeking their votes. We are presenting a united front, with the good people of the state, to accomplish the historic mission of ending the PDP’s reign of underdevelopment on December 5.

    “As for the falsehood put out by Dickson and his party about the APC state chairman, any right-thinking person would know that the publication is a mere frivolity that exposes the distress of a sinking administration.

    “In their haste to misinform, they confused the name of the Inspector General of Police, calling him “Sunday Arise” – instead of Solomon Arase. They also lied about the age of the deputy governorship candidate of the APC, Elder Wilberforce Titus Igiri. We are at a loss how any responsible media organisation could be used for such unimaginative campaign.

     

     

     

     

    “The authors of the spurious publication alleged a letter to the Inspector General of Police, but failed to make any specific reference in terms of the wordings of the said letter, date, and reference number. These are necessary features that must authenticate formal communications with an officer of the Nigerian state as high in status as the IGP.

    “We call on the IGP to quickly dissociate his name from this triviality being sown by Dickson and PDP in Bayelsa State.

    “We appeal to the teeming APC members and supporters in the state to remain dedicated to the cause of our collective redemption through PDP’s electoral ouster on December 5. We cannot afford to bow to any distractions.”

     

  • D-Day for Bayelsa APC as party elects flag bearer

    •We have no preferred aspirant, says Oshiomhole

    Bayelsa State All Progressives Congress (APC) will today elect its standard bearer for the December 5 governorship election.

    Whoever emerges the party’s candidate will contest against Governor Seriake Dickson, the consensus candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday led a seven-man electoral committee of the APC to Yenagoa, the state capital.

    Oshiomhole said the party had no preferred aspirant, adding that whoever wins would fly the party’s flag.

    The governor and his committee met with the 19 aspirants in Yenagoa, promising to follow the party’s rules for the primary.

    He said any international passport issued to any delegate after the party released its guidelines for the poll would not be used for accreditation.

    Oshiomhole said accreditation of delegates would begin at 8am and end at 12pm.

    The Edo governor said late comers would not be allowed accreditation and voting.

    Answering the aspirants’ questions, Oshiomhole said the rules on the primary would not be compromised for any reason.

    The governor said 1,508 delegates were expected at the primary, adding that the most potent instrument of identification was the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    He said the primary should be viewed as a family affair while the rules were not different from those used in the Kogi and presidential primaries of the party.

    According to him, two members of APC’s Board of Trustee (BoT), former Governor Timipre Sylva and the party’s Deputy Publicity Secretary Timi Frank, were eligible to vote.

    As a delegate, Frank was automatically excluded from the Zonal Election Monitoring Team, led by the National Vice-Chairman (Southsouth) Hilliard Ettah.

    Oshiomole also named Samson Siasia Sports Complex as the venue of the primary, adding that an open ballot system would be used for voting.

    The governor warned aspirants against cloning identification cards.

    He said APC would deploy card readers to authenticate delegates’ PVCs.

    Oshiomhole said: “If anyone is involved in criminal acts, we will ensure they are arrested. Cloning of cards is a criminal offence. The sponsor of such act and those caught with the cloned cards would be arrested.”

    Addressing the aspirants, he said: “The election is a family activity. The family is meeting to deliberate on who can be entrusted with the party’s flag to contest the December 5 election. Already, the fact that we can sit together in Bayelsa is a good sign.

    “The election is not between enemies; it is not between opponents. The language in this primary is not to win and defeat and it is not to kill. The language must not be violent. At the end of the day, there will be no loser. Whoever emerges cannot govern the state as a military administrator.

    “Out of 19, only one will emerge as our party’s flag bearer. I know I have visited the state on different matters and I enjoyed myself. But I know I won’t be able to enjoy myself like before. But I know I will come back when our party is in government.”

    The aspirants were seen going to the office of the Department of State Security (DSS) for a meeting with its director.

    The contest is believed to be between Alaibe and Sylva.

    Other aspirants are: ex-Chief of Staff, Chief Dikivie Ikioghaba; two-time former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Warman Ogoriba and Dr. Imoro Kubor.

    Others are: the Prince of Odi Kingdom and former senatorial aspirant, Preye Aganaba; Ambassador Felix Oboro, Ambassador Felix Otiotio, Powell Godknows, Kpolovie Obhoo, Christopher Enai, Romeo Bekeyai, Tonye Apirila, Ebitimi Amgbare, Fred Ekiegha, Senator Clever Ikisikpo, Mrs. Charity Vedalago and Ebitei Francis Williams.