TheCable

Timpre Sylva, former governor of Bayelsa state, has agreed to participate in the rescheduled primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, saying he would repeat his victory again.

Adams Oshiomhole, governor of Edo state, and chairman of the electoral committee, had recommended a fresh primary as result of the violence that marred the one scheduled for September 22.

But Sylva, who claimed that he won the election conducted by the state chapter of the APC, declared himself as candidate of the party for the December 5 election.

He alleged that Oshiomhole was backing one of the aspirants and plotting to get him out of the race, an allegation that the governor denied and threatened to file a legal action against Sylva.

However, in a statement issued by Sylva on Tuesday, the former governor said he would participate in the fresh primary scheduled for September 30 and called on his supporters to come out en masse.

“The cancellation of the 22 September primary, where Chief Timipre Sylva was overwhelmingly voted by the APC family in our state to fly the party’s flag at the 5 December governorship election, is unfortunate,” read a statement issued on Sylva’s behalf by Doifie Buokoribo, his spokesman.

“But as loyal and faithful party folks we have the serenity to accept the decision in the larger interest of our great party. We urge our teeming supporters to remain peaceful and unruffled, rest assured that all is well.

“Ultimately, our victory is sure. Our hope cannot be annulled. Our mission to rescue Bayelsa State from the grip of maladministration and underdevelopment is a task that must be accomplished.

“We should come out more massively than ever before this Wednesday, 30 September, to repeat the overwhelming endorsement you gave Sylva on 22 September. Together, we shall give the lie to the report of our detractors.”