Bayelsa gov raises alarm over plans to arrest him'HOWEVER, in this last and final batch, four of the aspirants did not scale through the Party screening process and have therefore not been cleared to contest the primaries. Those not cleared areAlaibe Ndutimi, Ben Murray Bruce, Timipre Marun Sylva and Igali Godknows Boladet.''With these words, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday shut its doors against the second term bid of Governor Silva and also effectively makes its much coveted gubernatorial ticket in Bayelsa State unavailable to the trio of Alaibe, Murray-Bruce and Igali, who also want it.The definitive pronouncement brings to an end weeks of suspense over the matter.In a statement titled, 'Final decision on Bayelsa,' National Publicity Secretary of the party, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali, stressed that it had only cleared seven aspirants for the governorship primary, which is expected to hold on Saturday, November 19.Those cleared for the primaries by the national headquarters of the PDP are: 'Orufa Justine Boloubo, Dickson Seriake Henry, Enai Christopher Fullpower, Kalango Michael Youppele, Francis Amaebi, Ekiyegha Francis Korobido and Austin Febo.''But in a reaction, Sylva, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Difie Ola, described his disqualification as 'disturbing.'Sylva also alleged that there were plans to arrest him 'on trumped-up treasonable felony charges.' .And for the first time, Sylva reacted to claims in certain quarters that his ordeal might not be unconnected with the allegation that he was recorded on tape threatening to kill President Goodluck Jonathan. .Ola also said the NWC 'has abridged the governor's right as a full member of the party.'He wrote: 'The attention of H.E. Governor of Bayelsa State has been drawn to a statement by the NWC of the PDP disallowing him from participating in the Bayelsa State PDP gubernatorial primaries scheduled for Saturday, November 19, 2011.' .Ola noted that 'the governor's fundamental right to vote and be voted for has been trampled upon by his own party, a party he has contributed so much in building.'According to him, 'consequently, Governor Sylva and his supporters are reviewing the NWC decision.'He added: 'Governor Sylva notes that the NWC decision does not annul his membership of the PDP. As Governor of Bayelsa State on the platform of the PDP, Sylva remains the leader of the party in the state. As a loyal party person, he will participate in all party activities.'Governor Sylva wishes to bring to the attention of the public reports saying that there are attempts to arrest him on trumped-up treasonable felony charges.'The story is that there is a tape in which he (Sylva) threatened to kill President Goodluck Jonathan. This is completely false. At no time did Sylva threaten to kill President Jonathan because he has no reason whatsoever to wish the President or any other person dead.'Governor Sylva enjoins the people of Bayelsa State, especially his numerous supporters to remain calm, law-abiding and hopeful. The people of Bayelsa State shall prevail.'Alkali wrote: 'The NWC of the PDP has concluded the review of the reports of the Screening Committee and Screening Appeal panel for the gubernatorial primaries in Bayelsa State scheduled to hold on November 19, 2011.'After a thorough review of the two reports, and after a painstaking examination of all the issues raised about each and every aspirant, the NWC has cleared seven out of the 11 aspirants that purchased forms to contest for the primaries..'Those who were cleared and shall contest the gubernatorial primaries are the following: Orufa Justine Boloubo, Dickson Seriake Henry, Enai Christopher Fullpower, Kalango Michael Youppele, Francis Amaebi, Ekiyegha Francis Korobido and Austin Febo.'All members of the party, especially stakeholders in Bayelsa State should note that this is the final decision on the status of all aspirants for the forthcoming primaries. All efforts should now be geared towards mobilising party members for the forthcoming primaries and elections in the state.'In a veiled reference to the declaration made by Sylva at the weekend, the PDP said no aspirant should use a provisional certificate as a basis for participation in the primaries.Alkali wrote: 'In view of the foregoing, all those aspirants whose names appear in Paragraph 2 above will be duly issued with final clearance certificates to enable them stand for the forthcoming primary elections. .'For the avoidance of doubt, and in line with the provisions of our guidelines for primary elections, no aspirant can or should use a provisional certificate as a basis for unilaterally declaring himself or herself as a candidate of PDP for the gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa State. Even where he or she does so, it is of no value, effect or utility for the primary elections and is therefore redundant'', the party further said.The PDP warned that it would not hesitate to mete out disciplinary measures on any party member who failed to abide by its decision on the Bayelsa primaries, saying: 'The NWC wishes to reiterate its commitment towards enforcing discipline within the ranks of the Party at all levels. We shall therefore not hesitate to invoke disciplinary measures on any member who disregards lawful Party directives or who engages in acts capable of undermining the Party's cohesion or initiates and takes any step that could lead to the breaching of public peace.'It would be recalled that after the first screening exercise, a screening appeal panel headed by former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs. Biodun Olujimi, was set up last month to hear appeals put up by some aspirants and stakeholders in Bayelsa.The Olujimi panel made some recommendations, which formed the basis of the decision taken yesterday by the PDP..The party had released the names of the seven aspirants cleared for the exercise in two batches before the final decision, which was made public yesterday.The Bayelsa governorship election is scheduled for next February.
Click here to read full news..
