Botched Bayelsa’s Primary: APC Asks Sylva To Head To Court

Following the inconclusiveness of the September 22 gubernatorial primary  conducted in Bayelsa state and the in-fighting that followed, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Odigie-Oyegun, has dared one of the aspirants and former governor of the state, Timipre Sylva to go to court if he is not satisfied with the decision of the party.

John Odigie-Oyegun

There has been media war between Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state and Sylva over the botched primary where the later was declared the winner.

Moment after Sylva was declared the winner, the Edo state governor who was the chairman of the election committee set up by the National Working Committee of the ruling party, later clear the air that Sylva was never declared the winner.

READ ALSO: Bayelsa Primary: APC Leadership Urged To Bar Sylva, Alaibe

Oshiomhole who spoke to newsmen in Benin, Edo state capital, denied reports that Slyva won the primary, saying it  was a huge joke as the former governor bilaterally chose to follow his own rule which was against the party’s standard.

It was learnt that while other aspirants were cooperating with the party directive for full accreditation of all delegates, Sylva was allegedly against this move leading to a walkout protest by about 14 other aspirants.

Odigie-Oyegun while briefing journalists on Monday, September 28, said: “Mr Sylva can go to court because that is what the court is meant for.”

The party chairman disclosed that another primary  will be conducted on September 29, 2015. He posited that the party will give a level playing ground to all aspirants who are vying for public positions.

The APC boss stressed that the process leading to the conduct of the September 22 election fell short of the standard set by the party.

He said: “we had serious security challenges and the process did not meet the standard which this party has set for itself.

READ ALSO: Bayelsa Guber: APC Can’t Stop My Re-election – Dickson

“We have no alternative but to stop the process by ensuring that the chairman of the panel was moved out of the venue with the help of security agencies.

“We decided thereafter that there should be fresh primary. We have written to INEC on our decision to conduct fresh primary for the Bayelsa governorship election on Tuesday.

“We are getting in touch with the Inspector-General of Police and all other security agencies to assist us in ensuring effective security.”

Meanwhile, the state chapter of the APC had said that it will stand by the purported victory of Slyva.

According to the state chairman, Tiwei Orunimighe, the primary was clearly won by Slyva and urged the losers to accept defeat.

He described as mere rumour the report of the cancellation of the result saying such statement was baseless and unfounded.

The post Botched Bayelsa’s Primary: APC Asks Sylva To Head To Court appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM.