APC stakeholders tackle Sylva for naming self as campaign chair

Ahead of the November 11 off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa State, some stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) have mocked the governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva for naming himself the chairman of his own campaign council.

According to them, this is against the usual practice of appointing a prominent party member to pilot the campaign council and deliver the candidate at any election.

The state chapter of the party had earlier in the week constituted a 47-man state campaign council to work for its candidate’s victory during the November 11 governorship election, with Chief Timipre Sylva, the governorship candidate’s name appearing as the Chairman.

Also, the Bayelsa State Chairman of APC, Barr Dennis Otiotio, was made the co-chairman, while Sylva’s running mate, Mr Joshua Maciver was named the Deputy Chairman of the campaign council.

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Reacting to the constitution and inauguration of the campaign council, some stakeholders and chieftains of the party under the auspices of Bayelsa APC Integrity Group, said the development has vindicated the group who has accused the party flag bearer of running a one man show in the party.

Coordinator of the APC group, Chief Ebipadeowei Oyinkuro, in statement on Thursday, recalled that only a few years ago, APC was not only in the heart and mouth of the people of Bayelsa State but was also at the commanding height of goodwill in the state, regretting that weeks to the governorship election, all that has evaporated.

He said: “The party not only appears to be going into battle with its flanks wide open, but it is deep in tatters and also showing signs that it requires oxygen.

“Well-regarded and influential members of the party in the state who could rightly be described as the first and best 11 have all turned their backs against Chief Sylva. Many other party stalwarts who never set out from the onset to be dissidents are also openly pitching their tent with the candidate of the opposition PDP, Douye Diri.