…Urge Governor Diri to Remain Vigilant Against Manipulation
The Bayelsa State Elders Forum of the All Progressives Congress (APC) views with deep concern the recent upsurge in propaganda and unwarranted attacks directed at our party’s leaders, most notably His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, CON.
Over the past weeks, we have observed with dismay a series of media publications and insinuations — many of them malicious in tone and origin — falsely alleging that Chief Sylva has been involved in activities detrimental to our democracy or in any way hostile to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
These claims are patently false, politically motivated, and intended purely to sow division within our ranks. In response, the Elders Forum constituted a discreet fact-finding team to review these allegations. The outcome confirmed what most discerning observers already knew — that the falsehoods are being peddled by a small faction within our party, acting in concert with external interests who thrive on discord.
It is now increasingly evident that the faction led by the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has made it its singular pursuit to undermine Chief Sylva and destabilise the Bayelsa APC, rather than contribute meaningfully to party cohesion or governance.
As one who has twice benefited from ministerial appointments under our great party, Senator Lokpobiri should, by now, have been a unifying influence. Instead, the resources and goodwill at his disposal appear to have been misdirected towards unproductive internal hostilities and an obsessive campaign of negative briefings against party elders.
We therefore call upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene decisively and counsel Senator Lokpobiri to retrace his steps from this self-destructive path. The constant circulation of unfounded stories through proxies and partisan media only damages the image of the APC in Bayelsa and distracts from the progress our President has set in motion nationwide.
Similarly, we urge His Excellency, Governor Douye Diri, to exercise political discretion in his recent rapprochement with members of the APC. While his decision to align with our great party could represent a fresh opportunity for unity and progress in Bayelsa, the Governor must be wary of being drawn into the parochial feuds of individuals whose interests do not align with peace or development.
Governor Diri must stand as a leader for all, not a captive of any clique or personality. The people of Bayelsa deserve reconciliation and purposeful governance — not factionalism disguised as cooperation.
For the avoidance of doubt, the APC in Bayelsa remains united in its loyalty to President Tinubu and committed to advancing his Renewed Hope Agenda. However, the growing pattern of intra-party hostility emanating from certain quarters must be checked before it undermines our shared progress.
We remind Senator Lokpobiri and his associates that political relevance is sustained through service, not sabotage. The time has come to replace blackmail with bridge-building, and bitterness with brotherhood.
The Elders Forum will continue to defend the integrity of our leaders, particularly Chief Timipre Sylva, and to uphold the principles of unity, discipline, and loyalty upon which the APC was founded.
Enough is enough.
Chief Clarkson Ayebaepreye
Secretary, APC Bayelsa Elders Forum
Yenagoa
09160256581
