Bayelsa APC Primaries: It Is Timi Versus Timi
CLEARLY, the change mantra that brought in the All Progressive Congress (APC) in government is under democratic test in Bayelsa State due to the party’s recent controversial governorship primary that has been cancelled by its national leadership.
The cancellation, according to the party’s national leadership, was due to security breaches that trailed the exercise.Former governor of the state and foundation member of the party, Chief Timipre Sylva, was declared winner of the primary.
It would be recall that Chairman of the seven-man APC Party Primary Committee and Governor of Edo State, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, was whisked out the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa venue of the exercise amidst security threat.
It was alleged that chaos erupted at venue following political shenanigans by supporters of the two major contenders- Sylva and Timi Alaibe, former managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC)- to tilt the process in favour of their masters.
Despite the hiccups, Oshiomhole’s alleged escape and Alaibe’s walkout protest from the venue, other members of the committee continued with the process and declared Sylva winner.
But few days later, the national leadership cancelled the exercise, just as Oshiomhole alleged that Sylva used thugs to disrupt the exercise.
Since then, Sylva and Oshiomhole have engaged in verbal assaults.
As the party prepares to conduct the rescheduled exercise, even as Sylva insists that he was duly elected as the party’s candidate, the question remains: Who will organise it to avoid a repeat of the past?
Will the APC get it right in Bayelsa, considering feelers that some bigwigs, including a former president and former governor from the Southwest are against Sylva’s emergence, just as some members think otherwise?
The two Timis have always had the ambition to govern the state, but Sylva has been luckier.
The unfolding events in the state chapter are not surprising to many observers, following Alaibe’s last minute defection to the party.
It will be interesting to see how APC wriggles out of the pre cum post-party primary crisis.
Will Timi support Timi, if Timi wins? Will any of the Timi play spoiler or defect if Timi wins?
Head or tail, it is Timi versus Timi in Bayelsa APC.
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1 Comments
Timi Alaibe is more acceptable to the people and is the only one that can give Dickson the strongest fight
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