Oluwole Ige writes on the challenges facing the Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying that it may be a hard road to victory in the 2012 gubernatorial election in the state for Governor Timipre Sylva.The political temperature inBayelsa, the home state ofPresident Goodlouck Jonathan, is getting hotter and stuffy. An average Ijaw man on the street could perceive it and other discerning minds are already mindful of the fact that something is just about to happen. The frenetic struggle for the soul of the oil-rich state is getting more interesting and gradually exhuming some intrigues that may eventually shape the destiny of the 15-year old state.Schemings and deft political manoeuvrings that have characterised preparations for the February 11, 2012 gubernatorial poll are becoming too fascinating to be ignored. Besides, the dramatics personae involved or are interested in the rat race to the Creek Haven Government House have been pre-occupied with lobby, political favouritism, underground campaigns and mounting pressure from within and outside the state to showcase their candidacy.The state, currently being ruled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the leadership of Chief Timipre Sylva, has been the cynosure of all eyes in Nigeria's politics. This might not be unconnected with the fact that the incumbent president, Dr Jonathan, a product of the minority South-South geopolitical zone, is now the Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But, if the existing political indices and other emerging realities are anything to go by, the battle to maintain the stronghold and ensure that president's party dictate the pace in Bayelsa, a state consisting of only 8 local government councils, might be a mirage.Nigerian Tribune conducted an investigation into the mounting internal opposition within the state chapter of the PDP against the Governor Timipre Sylva, the intra wranglings among the rank and file of his party and array of some political gladiators from other parties, who are interested in sending the governor packing from his coveted seat.It was also discovered that rumoured plan by the PDP to hold the state's primary for its gubernatorial hopefuls in Abuja may have sent jitters down the spines of some die-hard loyalists of the incumbent governor.Chief Timipre Sylva (PDP)Even though Nigeria as a corporate entity celebrated its 51st Independent Anniversary more than two weeks ago, it is not a party time for the handsome governor of Bayelsa. So many things seemed to be working against his interest as far as his bid to secure a second term through ballot system is concerned. The perceived dismal performance of his administration some years back and penchant for failing to fulfil promises to Bayelsans before and after his election as the governor of the state may throw spanner into his works. Though, there has been growing optimisms that he would eventually pick the ticket on the platform of the PDP, opposition from within his party to his ambition to rule the state beyond 2010 is too worrisome. Sylva, who appeared unruffled over the scheming of some powerful blocs, resident in Abuja, had always exuded confidence that he would beat his opponents at the primary hands down during the forthcoming exercise scheduled to hold before the end of the year.Similarly, the judgment of the Supreme Court, in a case instituted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against five governors who did not stand for gubernatorial election in the last April poll over tenure elongation, is making Sylva's ambition to hang in the balance. Though, the much-expected ruling was last Thursday, shifted to November 21 , pundits believed that the import of the judgment would be the determinant factor for the governor's political future.Ambassador Boladei Igali (PDP)Investigations by the Saturday Tribune have indicated that the former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ambassador Boladei Igali, has not only expressed his interest to slug it out with the governor at the primary, but had already begun underground scheming to outwit SylvaAmbassador Igali was a former SSG to President Goodluck Jonathan when the latter was the governor of Bayelsa. Nigerian Tribune gathered from a reliable source that he deliberately resigned his appointment as the Acting Chief of Staff to Governor Sylva to give the governor a spirited fight for the ticket of the PDP.Brye Ekiye (PDP)Rumoured to have established a strong tie with President Jonathan years back, Ekiye has stepped up his machinery to make his dream to rule Bayelsa in 2012 a reality. He also planned to use PDP as a pedestal to meet his political projection.Henry Seriake Dickson (PDP)Currently a member of the Federal House of Representatives, representing Sagbama Constituency I, Dickson's campaign posters have already flooded strategic locations in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State. From this perspective, he had aptly demonstrated his resolve to confront any contestant headlong in the battle to clinch the PDP ticket. Credible sources disclosed that one trait that may scuttle his ambition is personality crisis. It is believed that Dickson is too arrogant and inaccessible to be entrusted with the task of leading the state. Another seeming clog that could shatter his dream was an alleged controversial sum of N150 million project for the construction of a law library in Bayelsa. Dickson was a one-time Commissioner for Justice in the state during the administration of Jonathan as the governor of Bayelsa. Though some structures were constructed to justify the release of the capital for the law library project, political analysts hold the notion that the issue may be raised to frustrate his moves.Timi AlaibeA grass roots politician, Alaibe, for now, is seen as the only formidable force that can rattle the state governor, Sylva, in any political contest. His stint as the former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the success recorded in the Presidential Amnesty Programme, which he headed before his resignation some years ago, were parts of the scorecard that pundits said may shore up his chances in the contest. Stakeholders in the oil-rich state are of the opinion that he understands the nitty-gritty of Niger Delta political engineering and socio-economic challenges confronting Bayelsa State. But the fear being expressed among the camp of Alaibe's opponents now is that he has not come out publicly to declare his intention, a development some political scientists believe, was a ploy to spring a surprise that may be succinctly put as 'waiting in the wings to catch the prey'. Despite the fact that he is not currently holding any public office, the young politician had, and is still touching the lives of the masses positively in the area of economic empowerment. Besides, majority of Bayelsans have some degree of conviction that he could make a difference in terms of good governance.As at the time of filing this report, different political forces were still at play to shape the political history of Bayelsa State. However, the major internal opposition against the second term ambition of the incumbent governor, Sylva, seemed to be firing their salvo from the federal capital territory, while he still have to contend with other candidates of the opposition parties ahead of 2012 gubernatorial election.
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