A Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Hon. Sunday Frank-Okputu has described as a ‘ruse’ and ‘mockery’ the claims by some politicians in the state that a philanthropist, David Lyon, is the candidate endorsed by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva to run for Governorship of the party in the state.
According to Frank-Okputu, described the claims as false and a mockery aimed at heating up the polity amongst APC aspirants in order to create the needed division that would enable the state from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to win the forthcoming November 16th general election.
Hon. Frank-Okputu, a one-time Chairman of the Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC), during an interview in Yenagoa said “the Minister of Petroleum Resources can not stand anywhere and agree that he is presenting and endorsing David Lyon as a governorship aspirant of the APC over others that have indicated interest to run so far.”
He said “some politicians claim that it was Sylva that brought David Lyon into the race. But I know Sylva can not stand anywhere and make such a presentation. Because if he does, Nigerians and the entire international community will look at him in a different light. I know Sylva can not present an incompetent aspirant that can not stand and address the people on issues of Bayelsa Governance.
“Sylva is a competent man that can stand in any forum to address everyone. And I know he would not stoop so low to go and bring someone that can not do same. So, those claiming that Sylva brought him are making false claims. Bayelsa have passed a stage where they will bring someone and say he is the chosen one.”
Explaining further he called on members of the APC in Bayelsa State to focus more on competent and dependable personalities that had picked nomination forms and focus on dislodging a strong politician slike the Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson, than spreading rumours.
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“Bayelsa should look beyond sentiments and choose from the other six personalities vying for the party ticket. We don’t need an aspirant that will seat in his community and be speaking Ijaw dialect when other competent and eloquent speaking personalities are available. APC in Bayelsa needs to do its best because we are going into serious business.”
On the kind of aspirant the APC needs to fly its flag and contest the November 16 governorship election, he said the APC needs a candidate that will be acceptable to the general people of the state.
“We need someone that can stand and address comity of state, Governors, the international community, other personalities. We are talking of someone that will be called to address the press on issues of the state and national importance. He will stand and present the joint position of the Ijaw and Bayelsa State.
“We are not talking about a candidate that will be among the comity of state and prefer to speak Ijaw language. People should not out of sentiment say it must be the turn of Southern Ijaw and therefore incompetence should be glorified. Every society has outgrown such issues. Gone are those days when people use sentiment to judge people. We should be bold and say ‘NO’, we don’t need you as Governor at this time.
“He does not have what it takes. Though he is good in the oil business, it is not a criterion to adjudge him as a possible Governor. Bayelsa and Nigerians are looking out for competence. Bayelsa APC should be seen presenting its best not the worst. When we present our best, it is then our opponents will say we have the capacity and are up-to-date on politics. Instead, politicians are making false claims.”
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