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Bayelsa guber poll: Panic hits Sylva’s camp as loyalists leave in droves
Bayelsa guber poll: Panic hits Sylva’s camp as loyalists leave in droves
By: Michael Mike
As the Bayelsa State governorship election, scheduled for November 11, 2023 gets closer, panic has hit the camp of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Timipre Sylva, as his support base is being eroded daily with supporters ditching him for the camp of the incumbent governor, Senator Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The scenario has also been compounded by the reluctance of the national leadership of the party to support his campaign financially.
Only recently, the closest political ally of Sylva, who is also an immediate past member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Israel Sunny Goli, dumped him for the PDP over what was described as irreconcilable differences.
Also, few days ago, the platform of former legislators from 1999 till date declared their support for Governor Diri with the motion of vote of confidence on Diri moved by a former Sylva’s ally, Hon. Robert Enogha, and seconded by Rt. Hon. Werinipre Seibarugu, former Acting Governor and also a deputy governor to Sylva.
The development is becoming a source of worry to his supporters and party leaders in the state.
A close associate of Sylva, who spoke to our reporter in confidence, while taking stock of the political climate in the state ahead of the election, said: “if care is not taken, the way Sylva is going about it, Sylva and his supporters may be plunged into political oblivion and ultimately be retired from the Bayelsa political space, because the events of the past are hunting him and his followers.”
The source recalled how Sylva led a team of his supporters to meet the National Chairman of the APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, to raise N11 billion to support his campaign.
“The team met a brick wall as the Chairman was not enthusiastic about the idea. Rather than buying into the idea as the usual practice during a serious election season like the governorship election, he mockingly threw the task back to Sylva by giving him the task to first list the number of persons he had empowered in his state.
“Sylva and his team were given one hour to do that, while Ganduje waited to no avail and they left the national chairman’s residence with forlorn faces and utter disappointment.”
Another source further expressed disappointment that APC supporters back in Bayelsa State are frightened by daily depletion of supporters, defecting in droves to the ruling PDP with confidence in the Diri administration soaring higher.
The indicators, according to the sources, are gloomy for the APC, so long as free and fair election is conducted in the state.
However, recall that in the past couple of weeks, the media has been agog with reports about the desperation of the APC governorship candidate to win at all cost.
Accusing fingers pointed at his direction over plans to use BVAS machines without appropriate codes, the allegation of co-opting fake policemen and INEC officials to do his bidding.
Also, he tried unsuccessfully to drag the Presidency into his campaign, trying to enlist the support of the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.
His effort was also futile.
Very significant to note is the fact that Sylva is hell bent on returning the state to its dark days during his five years reign of terror. Remember, the bombing of political opponent rallies, the unexplained death of the younger brother of his late ADC whom we gathered was ready to cooperate with the police.
A prominent community leader from Southern Ijaw Local Government Area bursted in anger while condemning his choice of a deputy from a local government that produced the first graduate in the person of late Chief N A Frank Opigo. He said: “Southern Ijaw people are appalled at the APC’s choice of a deputy governorship candidate whose credentials are well known to be questionable. What an insult to our collective sensibilities?
“His deputy governorship candidate we recall was boastful of his jail break while serving a ten year jail term for multiple felonies in Kaduna prison. Whither are we bound? Haba, has Bayelsa State become the state of jokers?”
The question on the lips of vast majority of Bayelsans is: Is there any interest the former Minister of State for Petroleum has other than coming to sell the state just as he was accused of revoking the state most priced asset , the Atala Oil Field OML 46 which is the common patrimony of the land of his birth . OML 46 recall is the marginal oil field allocated to Bayelsa State during the resource control agitations.
Rather than protect it for his state Sylva revoked it and reallocated it to a company that was only incorporated in September 2019 with no single asset or experience using fake receipts and unverifiable investment claims. These are some of the baggage the APC has to contend with in the days ahead of the election.
Bayelsa guber poll: Panic hits Sylva’s camp as loyalists leave in droves
News
Military Airstrikes neutralized ISWAP Commanders, others in precision strike on Sambisa hideouts
Military Airstrikes neutralized ISWAP Commanders, others in precision strike on Sambisa hideouts
By: Zagazola Makama
The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai has neutralised two senior terrorist commanders, Saddam and Saleh Garin Kago, alongside other fighters, in a precision air interdiction (AI) mission at Yuwe in the Sambisa general area of Borno.
Sources who disclosed this to Zagazola said that the early morning strike also eliminated Hussaini Ubaida and Ba Alayi Benbem, while destroying identified terrorist command hideouts and logistics warehouses.
The sources said the mission was executed at about 6:08 a.m. on Friday following confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) on structures suspected to be terrorists’ commanders’ hideouts and storage facilities within the Yuwe axis.
“Upon confirmation of the targets, various military aircraft and platform, departed base to prosecute the mission. On reaching the objective area, the aircraft acquired and engaged the selected targets with precision-guided stores onboard,” he said.
The sources noted that post-strike battle damage assessment indicated that the identified command hubs and warehouses were effectively destroyed, significantly degrading the operational capacity of the terrorists in the Sambisa corridor.
According to the source, efforts were ongoing to confirm the identities of additional casualties resulting from the strike.
The military high command of Operation Hadin Kai has reaffirmed its commitment to sustain intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling terrorist leadership structures, disrupting supply chains and denying insurgents safe havens.
They stressed that the theartre command will continue to work in synergy with the Air component and other security agencies, to intensify its operations to consolidate recent gains and restore lasting peace in the North-East.
Military Airstrikes neutralized ISWAP Commanders, others in precision strike on Sambisa hideouts
Four die, 18 injured in zakkat distribution stampede in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Four persons have died while 18 others sustained injuries following a stampede during the distribution of annual Ramadan Zakkat (alms) at a residence in Katsina metropolis.
Sources told Zagazola that the incident occurred at about 9:00 p.m. on Feb. 26 at the residence of Alhaji Dahiru Usman Sarki, located in Kofar Guga Quarters.
According to the sources, a large crowd had gathered at the residence to receive Ramadan alms when some individuals allegedly forced their way into the compound, triggering a stampede.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Central Police Station (CPS) Katsina, swiftly mobilised to the scene and was able to bring the situation under control.
As a result of the stampede, 18 persons sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to the General Hospital, Katsina, for medical attention.
Four persons were later certified dead by a medical doctor. They were identified as Bilkisu Mamman, 40, of Kerau Quarters; Ihsan Musbahu, 40, of Abattoir Quarters; Aisha Sani, 16, of Kofar Sauri Quarters; and Salamatu Kabir, 45, of Sabuwar Unguwa Quarters.
Another victim, Hafsat Zubairu, 15, of Masanawa Quarters, was referred to the Federal Teaching Hospital for further medical evaluation.
Police authorities said the organisers of the Zakkat distribution had been invited for questioning, while investigation into the incident was ongoing.
Four die, 18 injured in zakkat distribution stampede in Katsina
News
Troops neutralise terrorists’ structures, arrest two logistics suppliers in Sabon Garin Fishingo in Borno
Troops neutralise terrorists’ structures, arrest two logistics suppliers in Sabon Garin Fishingo in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, Sector 2, have destroyed terrorist life-support structures and arrested two suspected Boko Haram logistics suppliers during clearance operations around Sabon Gari Fishingo in Borno State.
Security sources told Zagazola that the troops, in conjunction with quasi-security forces, conducted the operation at about 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 28.
The troops reportedly made contact with terrorists at Kayawa and engaged them with superior firepower, forcing the insurgents to flee in disarray.
The fleeing terrorists abandoned two motorcycles and five bicycles at the scene. No casualty was recorded among the troops.
Following the encounter, the troops set ablaze structures believed to be used as life-support bases by the terrorists.
The operation later extended to Sabon Gari Fishingo, where troops conducted a cordon-and-search exercise.
During the operation, two suspected Boko Haram logistics suppliers identified as Dahiru Haruna and Salele Lawali were arrested.
Items recovered from the suspects included a large quantity of drugs, medical consumables and one tricycle, popularly known as “Jega.”
Sources said the suspects were in custody for further investigation, while the recovered items were being documented.
The operation is part of sustained offensive actions under Operation Desert Sanity aimed at dismantling terrorist enclaves and disrupting their logistics networks in the North-East.
Troops neutralise terrorists’ structures, arrest two logistics suppliers in Sabon Garin Fishingo in Borno
Military Airstrikes neutralized ISWAP Commanders, others in precision strike on Sambisa hideouts
Four die, 18 injured in zakkat distribution stampede in Katsina
Troops neutralise terrorists’ structures, arrest two logistics suppliers in Sabon Garin Fishingo in Borno
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