Sylva Accepts Cancellation Of APC Primary

Former Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State who was declared the winner of the disputed All Progressives Congress governorship primary last week has accepted the cancellation of the exercise by the leadership of the party. His campaign team, however, boasted that he would win the next primary. The Timipre Sylva Campaign Organisation described the invalidation of the primary as unfortunate. A statement signed on behalf of the campaign team by Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, on Tuesday, however, said Sylva would abide by the party’s decision because as a loyal party member, he believes in the supremacy of the party. The campaign organisation, in the statement titled, “We will win again,” told supporters to remain calm and steadfast, saying, “Ultimately, our victory is sure.” The statement by the campaign team read in part, “The cancellation of the September 22 primary, where Chief Timipre Sylva was overwhelmingly voted by the APC family in our state to be the governorship candidate at the December 5 governorship election, is unfortunate. “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.” It urged delegates to turn out more than ever on Wednesday to repeat the “overwhelming endorsement you gave Sylva on September 22.” Though there had been fears that Sylva might head for the courts to stop the new primary, sources said influential members of the party prevailed on him not to take any action that would be inimical to the interest of the party. Sylva was said to have dropped the idea of going to court and decided to participate in the fresh primary to safeguard the interest of the party ahead of the December 5 governorship election.