Bayelsa APC primaries: Oshiomhole was evidently biased – Sylva

Winner of the All Progressives Congress governorship primaries held
on Tuesday in Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, has dismissed
claims by Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, who headed
the Electoral Committee, that he (Sylva) disrupted the electoral
process and in fact aborted it.

Sylva said in a statement on Wednesday that Oshiomhole was
evidently biased in favour of one of the aspirants.
He alleged that it was one of the friends of the favoured aspirants
that provided the helicopter that brought Oshiomhole to the venue of
the primaries.
Sylva said in the statement: “It is unfortunate that people like Adams
Oshiomhole, the governor of Edo State and former president of the
Nigeria Labour Congress, who pretend to be incorruptible, would
conduct himself in the manner in which he did in relation to the
Bayelsa State governorship primary. It was clear that Oshiomhole
never wanted to conduct the primary as scheduled
“First, on his request, the primary was shifted from its earlier date of
Saturday, September 19 to the Tuesday, September 22 date. The
grouse of the delegates was that the primaries had been shifted
once on Oshiomhole’s request. That shift caused enough hardship
already. The ‘comrade’ was again shifting the goal post, without
giving consideration to these hapless delegates. It was that
frustration that we were managing. It is so sad that the governor did
not appreciate our effort.
“Second, as chairman of the APC Electoral Committee, Oshiomhole
knew full well that accreditation of delegates was to begin at 8am on
Tuesday, September 22, but he came to the venue of the
programme well past 12 noon. After he arrived at that late hour, he
proceeded with a meeting with the committee members and another
meeting with the aspirants. He clearly had preconceived plans about
the Bayelsa APC governorship primary.
“Third, Oshiomhole cannot really say anything about the primary
election because he had left the venue at the time voting
commenced. Oshiomhole set the process in motion for voting to
commence before he excused himself on the grounds that he was
going to eat, and he mandated other members of the committee to
carry on without him.
“The world needs to know that the Bayelsa State Electoral Committee
is made up of seven members, and of the seven only Oshiomhole
left. The other six remained, conducted the primary and declared
Sylva winner of the exercise.
“Fourth, it bothers on pettiness for Governor Oshiomhole to quote
me as antagonist to new entrants to our party. Every discussion I
had with the governor was public. The only private conversation I
had with him was when he walked up to me and asked me if I truly
believed he was working against my interest. To that I answered
‘YES’. As a man of integrity (?) he even offered to step down as
chairman. If he had stepped down would that have invalidated the
primaries? We should refrain from exaggerating our worth and
integrity. Let other good people judge our character.
“After all, I was the one that received all new entrants. Oshiomole
was invited and he did not come.
“Fifth, Oshiomhole came to Yenagoa with a clear agenda, which was
to get me out of the race at all cost. We are aware that he had been
lobbying at the centre to get me out of the race in order to pave the
way for one of the aspirants. Indeed, one of the aspirants had
boasted openly that Oshiomhole would cancel the primary once he
arrived, shortly before his arrival.
“Oshiomhole should not tell lies, if I was not there, contrary to his
insinuation that I rented thugs to manhandle him, the crowd would
have manhandled him. I personally accompanied Oshiomhole to the
gate when he was going to eat.
“Seventh, if Oshiomhole has anything personal against me, let him tell
the world. We are shocked that the man who claims to be morally
upright with a strong ethical orientation would land in Yenagoa for an
exercise in which he ought to be an impartial arbiter with a helicopter
provided by a friend of one of the aspirants.”