By SaharaReporters, New York

The Screening Appeal Panel of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), headed by the former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Abiodun Olujimi, has said it refused to clear the incumbent Governor of Bayelsa State because of weighty security allegations against him.

On Timi Alaibe, the panel said it lacked “the mandate to grant a waiver” and that only the PDP National Working Committee is constitutionally empowered to grant such request.

The panel’s first report, which was published by Saharareporters, said of the situation concerning the governor, “His Excellency Sylva as a sitting governor presented all relevant documentary evidence in respect of his application as gubernatorial aspirant. He equally defended himself on allegations of anti-party activities.”

But the report, which was signed by Olujimi and the panel’s secretary, Hon. Abba Anas Adamu, then said: “…On the issues of security as raised in the petition by Oracles Law Firm and by the screening panel, the appeal panel lacks adequate information and the technical know how to reach a defendable decision.”

It said that security issues were beyond the scope of its assignment, and recommended, “The National Working Committee and the elders of the party looks into the matter and decide appropriately.”

On Doukpola Amaebi, the panel affirmed that the aspirant had not properly disengaged from his previous place of work as no original relevant documents were sighted.  It therefore recommended withdrawal of the aspirant’s tprovisional clearance.

Turning to Orufa Boloubo, the panel said that the tax receipt presented by him affirmed that payments were made when they were due.
 
Gov. Sylva continues to take on the PDP, claiming that the party didn't have the power to disqualify him from the state party primaries after an initial panel cleared him to participate.

On its part, the NWC has yet to release the second batch list containing names of candidates cleared to run for the Bayelsa state primaries.  That list initially excluded Mr. Sylva.

Yesterday, it scandalously emerged that officials and elders of the PDP were engaged in the extortion of N500 million from the governor in order to clear him to run. SaharaReporters sources said the party elders had originally played along with President Goodluck Jonathan's determination to exclude Sylva from the governorship race. 

But they then saw an opportunity in the stalemate for a huge payday through extorting huge sums of money from Sylva by offering him assurances that his name would emerge in the party's second list, which was expected yesterday.

As blind desperation met insatiable greed, the bank vaults of President Jonathan’s home state were thrown open to help put Sylva’s name back on the PDP primaries ballot.

lol sylver is going the mbadinuju way.