Sylva challenges Oyegun over cancelled election

Former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, has said that he won the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in the state stressing that nobody, not even the national party chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, can nullify the election.

His described as “misleading and completely untrue” reports purporting that the party had cancelled or rescheduled the election.

Sylva in a statement by his campaign organisation on Friday signed by Doifie Buokoribo, insisted that the former governor was still the governorship candidate of the party in the state.

“We want to state categorically that since the primary election was conducted according to the rules and duly won by Sylva, he remains the candidate of the APC in Bayelsa State and any statement to the contrary is mere rumour,” it said.

“The National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, does not have the powers to unilaterally annul a state primary election. We are even shocked that he allowed his name to be used when he has not even received the report from members of the electoral panel.

“Beyond the electoral panel’s report, there is also an Appeals Committee, which has the responsibility to examine complaints arising from the primary election.”

“There are seven members of the panel. Let us say Governor Adams Oshiomhole has submitted his own report through the pages of newspapers, there are six members left and the NWC has to sit and debate the reports,” the campaign organization said.

Read also: Balyesa guber primary: Sylva held us hostage— Oshiomhole

 

 

It added:  “Oshiomhole lied that the election was marred by violence. There are pictures and videos to prove that he lied. There are pictures and video to show that Oshiomhole presided over the election and handed over the exercise to the Secretary of the Panel on the excuse that he was going to eat.

“It should also be pointed out that only Oshiomhole left the venue of the election and that the remaining six panel members and INEC officials remained in the venue till the winner was announced.

“Oshiomhole must answer some questions relating to his conducts, which completely compromised his position as Chair of the election panel. Right from the beginning, it was obvious that Oshiomhole was working towards a pre-determined answer, unfortunately for him, the will of our people prevailed.

“Lastly, you cannot abort a baby that has already been born. The APC governorship primary has been concluded in Bayelsa State, a winner has emerged, and the winner is Sylva.”

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