Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson and his predecessor, Chief Timipreye Sylva, were rivals in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Sylva’s second term ambition had crumbled when pro-Dickson forces, led by former President Goodluck Jonathan, stood against it. The beneficiary was Dickson, a former member of the House of Representatives. After leaving power, Sylva’s days were numbered in the party. Last year, he defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The former governor is now the party’s governorship candidate. On December 5, Sylva will challenge the PDP flag bearer, Dickson, at the poll. Will he bounce back or lose his deposit? Will Dickson succeed in his second term bid and break the second term jinx? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the struggle for power in the oil-rich state.
The Bayelsa State governorship election will be a clash of titans. No fewer than 12 parties are fielding candidates for the poll. But, it is evident that the battle is between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). Many have argued that the contest is a continuation of the battle between former President Goodluck Jonathan, who hails from the state, and President Muhammadu Buhari, whose party is facing a major popularity test in the Southsouth during the election.
However, at the home front, the contest is between Governor Seriake Dickson of the PDP and Sylva, the candidate of the APC. Analysts have predicted a clash of egos. They are of the opinion that the two rivals are resuming hostilities. They are full of bravados. The state has not change, but the previous conditions may have been altered. Sylva had forfeited his second term bid in 2011, following the endorsement of Dickson by former President Jonathan and other party leaders. He fought hard to retain the seat, but without success. After leaving office, he was also being hunted by the anti-graft body. The former governor attributed his ordeal to the orchestrated plans by his foes to politically liquidate him.
Today, the two parties are of equal strength. The APC wields the power of incumbency at the centre. But, the PDP also basks in the euphoria of incumbency power the state level. Also, money is not a problem to the two parties. For the parties, the stakes are also high. The poll has implications for the two platforms.
In the last election, the PDP cleared the votes at the presidential, National Assembly and House of Assembly elections. The opposition only managed to win a seat in the House of Assembly. The members of the State Executive Council, board and parastatal me,ber and other political appointees at the local government levels are chieftains and supporters of the PDP. But, it appears that the APC is not intimidated by these scenarios.
According to observers, Sylva is a factor in Bayelsa politics. As far back as 2003, he had thrown his hat into the ring and challenged former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha to a duel. Although he was crushed at the primaries, he did not give up. In 2007, he also participated in the PDP primaries. He came second, trailing behind Dr. Jonathan, who had succeeded the impeached Governor Alamieyeseigha.
Luck smiled on him when Dr. Jonathan emerged as the running mate to the PDP presidential candidate, the late Alhaji Umaru Yar’ Adua. Since he came second at the primaries, he became the flag bearer. Sylva won the election, but the gulf between him and Dr. Jonathan deepened. For about five years that he called the shots, there was no love lost between him and the then President. In 2011, the Jonathan camp made up its mind that the curtain should be drawn on his tenure. Up came the House of Representatives member, Dickson, who had served as Commissioner for Justice when Dr. Jonathan was governor.
Efforts by Sylva to re-assert himself in the Bayelsa PDP have been futile. His supporters complained about marginalisation and persecution. Even, when crisis broke out between the governor and the Abuja forces, Sylva did not profit from the imbroglio. Bayelsa has been the stronghold of the PDP and he believed that he had contributed to its success as a leader. However, when it was clear that he faced a bleak future in the party, he defected to the APC.
Sylva’s defection from the PDP led, in part, to the decimation of the party. Scores of PDP chieftains followed suit, not necessarily in solidarity with Sylva, but in protest against alleged politics of exclusion by Dickson. The consequence of his defection meant that the PDP has an opposition leader to contend with. The PDP knew that trouble was looming.
In the APC, Sylva’s profile rose. During the party congress, APC governors were rooting for him as a national chairmanship aspirant. Unlike Chief Tom Ikimi, who was a nominal contestant, the weight of the governors, who are state party leaders, could not be dismissed with a wave of the hand. Although the former governor stepped down, but the support base he garnered during the congress attested to his popularity. Therefore, when he joined the governorship primaries, he became the candidate to beat. His main challenger, Timi Alaibe, appeared formidable, but he was advised to step down so that the party could present a united front. After the first rancorous shadow poll conducted by Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, reason prevailed. Peace has now returned to the chapter, following Sylva’s emergence as the candidate.
But, what is Sylva’s chance at the poll? Analysts believe that he is contesting on the platform of a formidable party. As a former governor, he is also a formidable candidate. Unlike before, when elections in Bayelsa’s eight local governments were the exclusive preserve of PDP chieftains, the state has to contend with the existence of the APC, which is the ruling party at the centre. Besides, Sylva’s associate, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, said that the former governor has a chance because the people of the state are yearning for change. He said Sylva is in the race to salvage Bayelsa from the yoke of incompetent and dishonest governance foisted on it by the PDP. “The responsibility to change the bad fortunes of Bayelsa State under the bondage of the PDP is one that must be accomplished,” he added.
PDP sources disclosed that the party is not resting on its oars. They are fueling the sentiment that the PDP’s defeat in Bayelsa will translate into a big disgrace to Dr. Jonathan. In a bid not to leave anything to chance, Dickson and the Abuja forces have also closed ranks. Dr. Jonathan has openly endorsed the governor for a second term. His wife, Dame Jonathan, has also ceased hostility. Also, Chief Alamieyeseigha has been campaigning vigorously for the governor’s second term ambition.
Dickson has berated Sylva for overrating himself. He predicted failure for the APC, saying that Bayelsa will remain a PDP state. In reaction, Sylva Campaign Organisation has said that the over-confidence will herald his colossal electoral defeat . “Buokoribo said the outcome of the election will be shocking to the governor.
But, in the governor’s view, the PDP is on the onslaught from a position of strength. He said the defection from the PDP to the APC will not swing the pendulum of victory to the direction of the APC. “The defection from the PDP to the APC in Bayelsa is not significant. Some chieftains have left in search of appointments at the federal level, leaving their key supporters behind in the PDP. There is none of them who has left who does not have an associate in our cabinet. They are going for selfish reasons,” he told reporters in Lagos.
The governor also said that nothing has changed between the last election and now to warrant victory for the APC. Dickson disputed Sylva’s structure, saying that its foundation is porous. He said: “It should not be forgotten that Sylva was a senatorial candidate of his party in the last election and we knew its outcome. Outside the PDP, Bayelsa cannot accommodate these people. They are relying on thugs and cultists to cause commotion and run back to Lagos and Abuja. They can’t win this election.”
Dickson challenged Sylva to a popularity walk. The governor also called for a free and fair election. He said that, if performance is a criterion for wining, his achievements will see him thorough. He noted the allegation of exclusion against him by the defectors. But, he clarified that no member of the APC has ever accused him of corruption. “This means that I have been running a government of transparency and probity. My achievements will speak for me during tje election,” he added.
