Yenagoa—A stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Oluasiri in Nembe Local Government area of Bayelsa State, Chief Felix Barigha has expressed worry over litigations and other happenings concerning the Bayelsa governorship election slated for November 11, 2023.
This is following the recent revelations that the party’s deputy governorship candidate for the election, Great Joshua Maciver is alleged to have lied on oath while filling his form by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) when he declared that he has never been an ex-convict.
Barigha, in a statement sent to newsmen on Wednesday, said the recent unpleasant controversies surrounding the running mate to Chief Timipre Sylva—the governorship candidate of the APC—may likely put the joint APC guber ticket in jeopardy and nullify the party’s participation in the guber election.
According to Barigha, a cross-section of the leaders of APC in Bayelsa State are deeply worried about the future of the party under Sylva, insisting that the ex-minister of state for petroleum resources runs the party as a sole administrator.
In his words: “While we are still thinking of the court disputes hanging over the party State Executive, the choice of our running mate was made by Sylva without allowing proper consultations, suggestions, or inputs.
“The eventual choice of Maciver brought a lot of disquiet among leaders of the party.
“Many leaders and key stakeholders were very angry with Sylva for picking an ex-agitator and sacrificing excellence.
“And sadly, Sylva failed to do any due diligence about the personality and credentials of the running mate.
“Chief Timipre Sylva will never learn. He did the same thing in 2019 that cost us our victory with Senator Degi. Why will he be nominating an ineligible person?”
He lamented that the Maciver imbroglio is happening at a time the party is trying to reconcile party leaders who are aggrieved over Sylva’s emergence as flag bearer.
Barigha believes that by allegedly failing to consult party leaders adequately, Sylva has successfully destroyed Bayelsa APC.
He further said in the wake of the recent development in the APC with Maciver, some leaders of the party are considering the possibility of supporting the incumbent governor, Senator Douye Diri, if and when APC is disqualified from participating in the election.
“This is a very bad case for APC. That there was allegedly a sentence on a case against Maciver and that he escaped from prison are serious grounds for nullification of the joint ticket with Sylva.
“The Nigerian Constitution is very clear and explicit on grounds for eligibility for contesting political positions.
“Some of the leaders of the party are already looking at the possible way forward ahead of the election. We might just be left with the only available option and that is to support the incumbent, who is not even doing too badly. But time will tell,” he concluded.
