Jonathan Changes Tact In Bayelsa, Snubs Sylva For Diri

Four years after he caused consternation in Peoples Democratic Party, PDP circles after his body movement betrayed his allegiance to the then All Progressives Congress, APC governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, David Lyon, President Goodluck Jonathan has firmly rebuffed the present APC ticket holder, Chief Timipre Sylva in favour of the incumbent governor, Douye Diri.

Speaking at his Yenagoa residence on Tuesday when members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Bayelsa National Governorship Campaign Council alongside governors, former governors of the party and National Assembly members and other stakeholders paid him a visit, the former Nigerian leader said he is in touch with Governor Diri and his activities in the state.

The party leaders visited the state for the grand finale of the Governor Douye Diri re-election campaign rally.

GWG.ng reports that President Jonathan’s rebuff of Sylva is no surprise given the animosity between both men when they contested the 2007 governorship ticket of the PDP and the cold shoulder Sylva was reported to have given him as vice-president.

Endorsing Diri on Tuesday, Dr. Jonathan said Bayelsa has made progress in the area of security and infrastructural development under Diri.

He expressed delight over the involvement of critical stakeholders such as former Governor Seriake Dickson and the former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Chief Ndutimi Alaibe, in the affairs of the party, stressing that it signifies unity within PDP.

Jonathan restated the need for a peaceful election in Bayelsa, insisting that politics was not a do-or-die affair but should be a means to serve the people. 

His words: “I have been in touch with our governor and I believe he should be encouraged to do his eight years. He has been able to stabilise the state.

“Let us find a standard way of doing things. We cannot kill ourselves; we do not want crisis.

“I thank you all for what you are doing. While we struggle for leadership, we must have a country.”

The delegation included PDP Acting National Chairman, Amb. Iliya Damagum, former National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, Governors Kefas Agbu (Taraba), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), his predecessor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Senators Abdul Ningi, Ned Nwoko, Konbowei Benson, Benson Agadaga, James Manager and Stella Omu among others.

It would be recalled that four years ago, Jonathan shook the political circles when he received a delegation of similar sort in APC colours.

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