How PDP used security report to shut out Sylva

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Security reports caused Bayelsa Governor Timipre Sylva’s disqualification for the primary election, sources said yesterday.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) disqualified Sylva, Timi Alaibe, Ben Murray Bruce and Amb. Godknows Igali.

The party is also said to be pressurising Sylva to apologise to the Presidency and the PDP. Besides, he must back whoever emerges the governorship candidate to pave the way for his “soft landing” from power, it was learnt.

The seven aspirants cleared for the primary election will be given clearance certificates tomorrow.

A top member of the NWC, who spoke in confidence with Our Crew  last night, said: “The NWC was given security reports on Sylva before it took its final decision to disqualify him.

“The truth is that the security reports were overwhelming and there is no way he could participate in the primary election with such reports.

“As a party, we felt for him, but we could not clear him with such baggage. It is only when we are pushed to the wall that we can make the security reports public.”

Responding to a question, the NWC member added: “Some of our leaders have been pressurising the governor to apologise to the Presidency and the party over the security reports and back whoever may emerge as the party’s candidate.”

As at last night, all the disqualified aspirants have been placed under security surveillance to avoid any breach of the peace in Bayelsa State.

A source, who confided in our correspondent, said: “All the disqualified aspirants are under surveillance of the security agencies to avoid any breach of the peace.

“If there is any disruption of the primary election, they will be held accountable. That is why we are monitoring their activities closely.

“We are not trying to intimidate any of the aspirants but we owe it a duty to ensure peace in Bayelsa State.”

The PDP will on Wednesday present clearance certificates to the seven aspirants.

A statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Rufai Alkali, in Abuja said: “Following the successful clearance of aspirants for the forthcoming gubernatorial primaries under the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, the National Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, on behalf of the National Working Committee (NWC) wishes to invite all the seven cleared aspirants to the National Secretariat of our great Party on Wednesday, 16th November 2011 to receive their final clearance certificates. 

Those invited are: I. Orufa Justine Boloubo; II. Dickson Seriake Henry; III. Enai Christopher Fullpower; IV. Kalango Michael Youppele; V.      Francis Amaebi; VI. Ekiyegha Francis Korobido; and VII. Austin Febo

“They are all expected to arrive the National Secretariat at 12 noon for the formal handing over process of the final Clearance Certificates to enable them return to base quickly in order to go ahead with their preparations for the primaries.”

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