Gov Diri’s allegations on violent protests following S/Court verdict is laughable-Ex-Gov Sylva

Timipre Sylva, Minister of state for Petroleum Resources and former Governor of Bayelsa says there is no truth in the allegations that he was behind the violence that followed the Feb 13 judgment.

It would be recalled that the Supreme Court had on Feb. 13, held that the APC Deputy Governor-elect, Degi Ereminyo, submitted forged documents which made him and Governor-elect, David Lyon, ineligible to contest the election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in compliance with the judgment, on Feb. 14 issued a Certificate of Return to the PDP candidate, Duoye Diri, who had since been sworn in.

Sylva who is leader of the APC in Bayelsa in a statement issued by his Media Adviser Mr Julius Bokoru on Saturday described the claims by Gov Douye Diri is untrue amusing.

Sylva had condemned the violence that trailed the judgment and urged party faithful to keep the peace and refrain from taking the laws into their hands.

Diri had on Thursday after inspecting public and private properties destroyed during the protest accused Sylva and National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole of making comments that fueled the violence.

  

“The claims are as absurd and preposterous as they are wrong. It is important to note that Sylva, being the statesman and advocate of peace that he has always been, called for calm from all parties both on national TV and papers

“It is sad that Senator Diri cannot start his governorship on brighter notes, but rather, seeks to continue on the listlessness of his predecessor by obsessing over Sylva. 

“Diri is advised not to tow that path and not to be haunted by the spectre of Sylva's shadow.

“Indeed, a snake cannot give birth to anything other than a snake, and while these, including early morning automobile loans, foreshadows a ruinous run, it is sad for a state still grappling with man-made economic sterility.

“The easier thing for someone with a jaundiced mandate to do was to pray for God's forgiveness, especially for the utterly ambiguous means used in procuring that judgment.

“It is, however, left for God to decide if the anomaly that happened at the Supreme Court would hold 

“It is still too early to start shopping for sparring partners. The simple advice to Senator Diri is that he should haul away drama and focus on the task of governance before him,” the statement read.