Bayelsa guber: Disqualify Sylva for not quitting Buhari’s cabinet – APC members

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Some Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Bayelsa State, have called on the national leadership of the party to disqualify the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, from contesting the governorship primaries of the party over his refusal to resign his position as minister.
The aggrieved members numbering over 40 from 43 Wards in Ekeremor, Ogbia, Sagbama, Kolokuma/Opokuma and Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas of the State, in a petition to the party national leadership, pointed out that as at the time the minister was screened, he had not resigned.
The petition, which was signed by Doubra Kpoku, Nelson Gbeinbo, Charles Fyneman, Ogbel Joseph, Dressman Isowo, among others, and addressed to the national chairman, national secretary, legal adviser and national organising secretary of the party, said the minister’s action is a violation of the party’s constitution.
The petition reads: ” Request for Disqualification of Chief Timipre Marlin Sylva, the Hon. Minister of State Petroleum Resources from Participating in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bayelsa State Gubernatorial Primaries Scheduled for April 14, 2023 or any other date.
“We are card-carrying members of the APC, Bayelsa State Chapter from various Wards in different Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State and refer to the above captioned matter for your urgent attention and action to avoid our dear party from being ridiculed in the forth-coming Governorship Elections slated for November 2023 or any other date.
“The grounds for our objection are as follows:
i. As at 25th March 2023 when the Honourable Minister, Chief Timipre Marlin Sylva presented himself for screening at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja International Hotel, Abuja in his bid to contest the primaries which is expected to be conducted any time soon, the Honourable Minister had failed, refused and or neglected to resign his Ministerial position as Minister of State for Petroleum of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“This is against the extant provisions of Article 31 paragraph (iii) APC Constitution, as amended; The Honourable Minister and now aspirant for Governor of Bayelsa State is a member of the APC holding political office by virtue of his membership of the APC and as Leader of the Party in Bayelsa State.