Some notable stakeholders have expressed their displeasure with the governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva’s choice to name himself as the Director-General of the Campaign Council.
Members of the party, particularly those associated with the Bayelsa APC Integrity Group, reacted to the constitution and inauguration of the campaign council. They argue that Chief Sylva’s self-appointment affirms their accusations that the party’s flag bearer is steering the party as a one-man operation.
In a statement released on Thursday and signed by Coordinator Chief Ebipadeowei Oyinkuro, the group reflected on a time when the APC was not only popular among the people of Bayelsa State but also enjoyed substantial goodwill in the region. They lamented that in the weeks leading up to the governorship election, all of this positive sentiment had seemingly dissipated.
The statement articulated, “The party not only appears to be going into battle with its flanks wide open, but it is deep in tatters and showing signs that it requires oxygen.
“Well-regarded and influential members of the party in the State who could rightly be described as the first and best 11 have all turned their backs against Chief Sylva.
“Many other party stalwarts who never set out from the onset to be dissidents are also openly aligning themselves with the candidate of the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Douye Diri.
“They are disgruntled over Chief Sylva’s high-handed approach and his tendency to conduct himself as if the APC in the State is his personal fiefdom. His gubernatorial aspirations come across to them as an entitled birthright. Perhaps nothing exemplifies this better than Chief Sylva simultaneously holding the positions of Gubernatorial Candidate and Chairman of his own campaign.”
The statement continued, “His cousin, Chief Dennis Otiotio, who serves as the State Chairman of the Party, occupies the role of Alternate-Chairman, while the running mate, Joshua Macaiver, assumes the position of co-chairman. The majority of the remaining members of the campaign council are drawn from Sylva’s inner circle.”
