The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, has raised eyebrows by appointing himself as the chairman of his own campaign council for the November 11 off-cycle elections.
This is contrary to the usual practice of nominating a prominent party member to lead the campaign council and ensure the candidate’s success at the polls.
The state chapter of the party had earlier in the week announced a 47-man state campaign council to work for Sylva’s victory, with his name as the chairman.
The state chairman of APC, Barr Dennis Otiotio, was made the co-chairman, while Sylva’s running mate, Mr Joshua Maciver, was named the deputy chairman of the campaign council.
Some stakeholders and chieftains of the party under the banner of Bayelsa APC Integrity Group have expressed their displeasure with the development, saying it confirms their allegation that Sylva is running a one-man show in the party.
The coordinator of the APC group, Chief Ebipadeowei Oyinkuro, said in a statement on Thursday that APC used to enjoy a lot of popularity and goodwill in Bayelsa State a few years ago, but lamented that all that has vanished as the governorship election draws near.
He said: “The party not only appears to be going into battle with its flanks wide open, but it is deep in tatters and also showing signs that it requires oxygen.
“Well-regarded and influential members of the party in the state who could rightly be described as the first and best 11 have all turned their backs against Chief Sylva. Many other party stalwarts who never set out from the onset to be dissidents are also openly pitching their tent with the candidate of the opposition PDP, Douye Diri.
