The upcoming Bayelsa State governorship election, set for November 11, 2023, is causing panic in the camp of Chief Timipre Sylva, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). His support base is shrinking as supporters are leaving him for the camp of the incumbent, Senator Douye Diri, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). To make matters worse, the national leadership of the APC is reluctant to provide financial support for Sylva’s campaign.
Recently, Sylva’s closest political ally, Hon. Israel Sunny Goli, who is also a former member of the House of Representatives, switched sides and joined the PDP due to irreconcilable differences. Additionally, a group of former legislators from 1999 till date declared their support for Diri, further diminishing Sylva’s support. This development is causing concern among Sylva’s party leaders in the state.
A close associate of Sylva expressed worry about the current political climate in the state. They fear that if Sylva continues on this path, he and his supporters may fade into political oblivion and be sidelined from the Bayelsa political scene. The events of the past are haunting him and his followers, posing a significant threat to their political future.
The source recalled how Sylva approached the National Chairman of the APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, with a request for N11 billion to support his campaign. However, Ganduje was not enthusiastic about the idea and instead challenged Sylva to first provide a list of the number of people he had empowered in his state. Sylva and his team failed to meet this task, leaving with disappointment and empty-handed.
Another source expressed disappointment over the daily loss of APC supporters in the state. Many are defecting to the ruling PDP, as confidence in the Diri administration continues to rise.
