From FEMI FOLARANMI, Yenagoa

Former Bayelsa State governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, has opened up on why he is backing General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Sylva, who was speaking in an interactive session with Bayelsans monitored on a radio station, Royal FM based in Yenagoa, said he was working for Buhari in 2015 because Jonathan had failed the Niger Delta people.

While noting that he had disowned Jonathan as his brother, he pointed out that the Jonathan Presidency had dashed the hopes of the Niger Delta people.

He said the decision to support General Buhari was based on convictions and the need for change in the polity.

Sylva stated that he was ready to work for his newly found political friends in the APC than to work for President Jonathan who plotted his downfall from office.

His words: “What has Bayelsa gained from the Presidency? Where is the federal project in the state that is significant? I don’t see any. Not even electricity is available in Otuoke. And you have the Presidency. If I have somebody else that is not my brother but a friend with my interest at heart, it is better. Sometimes, a good friend is better than a bad brother. If a good friend can come and give us electricity and good jobs, I will go for that good friend rather than go for that bad brother. Look at Bayelsa. Look at Niger Delta.

“Look at the East-West Road under a brother. Why hasn’t the road been fixed under a brother? Why is the Brass LNG not working under a brother because we know where the project was under Obasanjo? Why is it that all they promised us under Amnesty has not been fulfilled? You remember they promised us a new city. Where are those small cities under our brother? Is there any serious institution established here to empower our youths to give them skills? Where is the institution built in Bayelsa. Nothing has been done. What has been done is that their cronies have bought some private jets. Is that what Bayelsa is about? Is that what Niger Delta Presidency is about? We all fought for this power but certain people have hijacked it.”

He broke his silence on what caused the political feud between him and President Jonathan leading to his being barred from contesting the PDP governorship primaries.

According to him his refusal to complete the controversial Tower Hotel in the state led Jonathan to move against him.

Sylva, who declared that the project was a waste, alleged that his refusal to do President Jonathan’s bidding on the project cost him his job as governor.

He said he could not understand why billions of naira would be spent on the hotel project which would not benefit Bayelsans.


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