BAYELSA STANDS STILL FOR SYLVA

The Bayelsa State capital, Yenagoa and indeed the entire state this weekend stood
still for Governor Timipre Sylva as people from all walks of life gathered at
the city entrance, Igbogene to welcome Sylva, who was returning from Abuja,
where he had gone to submit his gubernatorial expression of intent form at the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) Headquarters, Abuja.

The mammoth crowd that had thronged the city entrance to welcome their governor
later moved to the Peace Park, Yenagoa, where a grand solidarity rally was held
in honour of the governor.


Speaking at the rally, Sylva announced to Bayelsans that he had submitted his nomination
form to the PDP for the 2012 gubernatorial election in the state.

The governor said the present administration has, in the last three and half years,
laid a solid foundation for the development of the state, adding that he was
poised to consolidate on his achievements.
He told the huge populace gathered at the city centre that it was most unfortunate
that in recent times, some politicians have been dragging the name of President
Goodluck Jonathan into the local politics of Bayelsa, pointing out that these
desperate politicians have been going around declaring that they were the
adopted candidates of Mr. President.

Sylva urged Bayelsans to ignore such stories as there was no iota of truth
in them, stressing that the name of the President should be respected and not
dragged into the local politics of the state. Governor
Sylva disclosed to the cheering crowd and the entire people of Bayelsa that he
has consulted widely among stakeholders within the state and Abuja and there
was no cause for alarm.
“I went to Abuja where I continued with my consultations and I wish to announce to
all Bayelsans that I have the blessing of President Goodluck Jonathan. There is
no cause for alarm as we are firmly in control”, the governor disclosed.


In his remarks, chairman of the state branch of the Association of Local
Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Chief Tiwei Orunimighe, said as the rallying
point of the people at the grassroots, ALGON has decided that Sylva is their
candidate for the governorship election in the state in 2012.
“Chief Timipre Sylva is our candidate for the 2012 governorship election in the state.
There is no vacancy in the Bayelsa State seat of power. For us, it is Sylva”, he
declared.


In his welcome address, Chairman of Yenagoa Municipal Council, Mr. Michael
Ogbolosinga, said ALGON organized the solidarity rally to affirm the
association’s loyalty to Sylva’s administration. Ogbolosinga pointed out that Sylva’s
score card was an eloquent testimony of the governor’s desire to develop the
state, adding that “come 2012, there is no vacancy in Government House, Yenagoa”.

The rally was attended by members of the State House of Assembly, commissioners,
leadership of the eight local government councils in the state, women and youth
groups, opinion leaders, senior citizens of the state and the physically challenged.


DOIFIE OLA
Chief Press secretary to the Governor