Leave Tinubu out of the Bayelsa election, a group tells Sylva.

The Pan Nigeria Democratic Alliance, PNDA, has advised the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, not to drag President Bola Tinubu into mud over his eagerness to win the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State.

The organisation, which addressed in Abuja through its convener, Chief Olaitan Adewale, said that as a democrat who has paid his dues, the President should not fall for the antics of anyone or any group seeking to circumvent the process in order to obtain political office against the will and will of the majority.

“We are particularly surprised by some people’s desperation, which has already resulted in violence, death, and displacement in some parts of the state, particularly in Basambiri-Nembe.” This has been the norm in Nembe and Brass throughout every election cycle, especially those in which Mr. Sylva is involved.

“The difference in this one is that they boast that they have President Tinubu’s backing to influence the outcome of the election in favour of Sylva, the APC candidate.”

“Bayelsans will never forget how the APC governorship primary was marred by violence and gross irregularities.” The event was set to take place at the Doncunt Hotel. Sylva reportedly received almost 58,000 votes during the sham primary election, while other co-contestants received slightly more than 10,000 votes. The point is, did video or photographic evidence indicate that over 70,000 people squeezed into such a venue? Another question is, where were the devoted APC supporters during the previous general elections? Did they not vote for their preferred party?

“The truth is that the exercise was nothing more than a vote allocation and ballot box stuffing.” Chief David Lyon was given less than 3,000 votes and reportedly finished fourth, unable to protest the conclusion of the election. Such behaviour will be prohibited in the upcoming governorship race. This is not the time to rely on violence and process manipulation to win elections. This is a good governance period. The plan to utilise the same rough technique will succeed only if Bayelsans do not stand up to his antics. Otherwise, the Adamawa fiasco will be a piece of cake.

The group also requested that President Tinubu warn security services, particularly the police, whose leadership has made Sylva’s house their second home.

They warned security personnel, particularly police officers, that the blood of innocent people would follow them if they did not stop being partial in their intervention in Bayelsa.

The PNDA urged the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr Tunji Egbetokun, to rein in his soldiers and remember that any action performed by anyone is judged by posterity.

“We have been keeping a close eye on the political developments in Bayelsa.” Poll after poll, including those performed by APC pollsters and close associates of the APC candidate, have indicated that he has little chance of winning a free and fair election. This development has nothing to do with the APC as a party, but with the antecedents of the candidate who has been rejected at the polls several times.”

The PNDA also charged the APC candidate with taking note of the disaffection of the APC leaders in the state with the way he is handling the party as a sole administrator, as well as their grouse with him, as well as the people’s resentment against him, and urging him to let charity begin at home by resolving his party’s internal crisis.

Adewale added that his organisation is concerned about the APC candidate’s undemocratic approach and the general happenings in Bayless State because it is a vital component of the federation known as Nigeria, and that whatever occurs during the election could have national ramifications.

“We are aware of the subterranean moves to undermine the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as reported in the media, and we urge those behind such moves to cease and desist immediately.” “Every Bayelsan and even Nigerian is keeping a close eye on the situation.”

The group also tasked President Tinubu not just to talk the talk but to walk the walk, just as he tasked the US government on Saturday, August 26th, to ensure that its policy is intentionally collaborative with independent African democracies at a time when they are under attack by anti-democratic forces both within and outside the continent during a visit by the American Under Secretary to Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.