Former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, has said he is confident of emerging victorious in the rescheduled primaries of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to choose the party’s flag bearer for the December 5 governorship election in the state.
Sylva was declared winner of the earlier election held on September 22 but the APC national body cancelled it amidst accusations of intimidation of delegates by Sylva.
In a statement issued by the Timipre Sylva Campaign Organisation, which described the decision of the party to cancel the election as unfortunate, the aspirant said he is not deterred.
“The cancellation of the 22 September primary, where Chief Timipre Sylva was overwhelmingly voted by the APC family in our state to fly the party’s flag at the December 5 governorship election, is unfortunate,” Doifie Buokoribo said for the organisation.
“But as loyal and faithful party folks we have the serenity to accept the decision in the larger interest of our great party. We urge our teeming supporters to remain peaceful and unruffled, rest assured that all is well. Ultimately, our victory is sure. Our hope cannot be annulled,” he stated further.
The chairman of the election committee and governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, had accused Sylva of mobilising thugs to threaten officials and delegates in an election that saw other contenders call for its cancellation.
Sylva’s main challenger is former finance director of the Niger Delta Development Company, NDDC, Timi Alaibe, who along with other contenders had walked out on the last primaries, claiming that it was fraught with irregularities.
And whoever wins the new election will hope to unseat the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate and incumbent governor, Seriake Dickson.