Prior to the election on November 11, Timipre Sylva, an APC candidate for governor of Bayelsa State, and incumbent Governor Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party got into a verbal duel amid accusations of espionage and violence.
Diri refuted Sylva’s allegations that he had hired spies to watch his activities in a statement signed by his Special Adviser for Media and Publicity, Julius Bokoru. Diri stated that Sylva was “crying wolf” when no such thing existed.
The former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources claimed that this was supported by reliable information that was at his disposal.
According to the statement, “Credible reports available to H.E. Chief Timipre Sylva, governorship candidate of the APC in Bayelsa State, suggest that Governor Douye Diri has commissioned spies across the state, particularly at the Bayelsa International Cargo Airport, to document and report Chief Sylva’s movements in Bayelsa and the surrounding areas to some off-grid security architecture in the state.
“This desperate, illegal security operation is being led by a close security aide to Governor Diri, and its goal is to undermine Chief Sylva’s convoy and protection, as is well known.
“This is to warn the general public and in particular the security services throughout the country to take heed of Governor Diri’s policy of violence against Sylva and the Bayelsa people with a specific focus being Opu-Nembe.
“A serving governor’s main campaign tactic, naturally, was to rattle off accomplishments and landmarks, not investing in an orgy of violence. Instead of ordering spies, Diri ought instead order projects.
“The Bayelsans are tremendously aligned and Sylva’s push to Creek Haven is an act of emancipation. Change is imminent, inevitable, and Bayelsa state’s soul will be rescued from the clutches of those who use violence as a fruitless cover for their incompetence.
The former minister, according to his pedigree, was the one orchestrating what he (Sylva) was accusing the governor of, according to a statement from Diri that was released by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah.
A well-known pacifist and supporter of politics devoid of resentment, Governor Douye Diri was described in the statement. He has vowed not to shed blood in order to win reelection.
It should be noted that, unlike previous elections in Bayelsa State, the country’s general election in February/March was the most peaceful ever, with no instances of recorded carnage or murders. This was caused by the governor’s calm demeanor, which penetrated the state’s politics.
“Chief Sylva is skilled at making up problems. We think he is responsible for preparing what he is accusing the governor of based on his prior behavior. But it is best to disregard the rants of someone who is drowning and looking for a straw to hold onto or who is trying to find an explanation for why his governorship project failed. His absolute rejection by his party’s leadership, his Nembe/Brass supporters, and the Bayelsa electorate.
