Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State may be arrested for treason as soon as his tenure lapses on May 27, 2012.Sylva was on Sunday stopped by the Peoples Democratic Party from contesting its governorship primaries scheduled for November 19.Security operatives, our correspondent learnt on Monday, have concluded plans to arrest the governor as soon as his immunity from prosecution ends on the day his term lapses.A source in one of the security agencies who said the allegations of treason against the governor had been investigated said the findings showed that the governor had a case to answer.Governor Sylva knows that there is a case of treason against him. He is deceiving himself if he pretends not to know, a security source told our correspondent.The source said it was based on the case against the governor that the PDP refused to clear him to vie for its ticket for a second term. He, however, did not state the quarters from which the allegations came.While reacting to his disqualification from the PDP primaries on Sunday, Sylva also gave hint of the plan to arrest him for treason. He however, denied the allegation.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. He has no reason whatsoever to wish the president or any other person dead, The Chief Press Secretary to the embattled governor, Mr. Doifie Ola, said in a statement.The PDP Governorship Appeal Panel had refused to clear Sylva for the primaries based on what it described as a security issue that was beyond its mandate.Apparently not satisfied with his explanations, the panel denied him clearance owing to what a source described as the severity of the allegations and the evidence adduced to support the claim.The panels report which was jointly signed by Olujimi and the panels secretary, Hon. Abba Anas Adamu, says, His Excellency Sylva as a sitting governor presented all relevant documentary evidence in respect of his application as governorship aspirant. He equally defended himself on allegations of anti-party activities.However, on the issue of security as raised in the petition by Oracles Law Firm and by the screening panel, the appeal panel lacks adequate information and the technical know how to reach a defendable decision.It therefore recommends that the National Working Committee and the elders of the party look into the matter and decide appropriately.Meanwhile, THE PUNCH learnt that the governor might have decided to go ahead with his ambition despite the refusal of the PDP to allow him to contest the primaries.A source close to the governor said he was making consultations and would soon announce the political party on which platform he would vie for the election. The source said the governor might choose between the All Progressive Grand Alliance and the Action Congress of Nigeria.The source said the governor had been meeting with some leaders of the ACN.But the National Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Monday refused to confirm or deny the discussion between Sylva and the party.I may not be able to say if there was any discussion with him, but I can tell you that I am not aware, Mohammed told our correspondent.Asked if the party would be glad to accept the governor if he shows interest in joining it, he said, We will cross the bridge when we get there.
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