Bayelsa decides: SYLVA: Saint or sinner?

For Chief Timipre Sylva, what has worked for him is that he is a politician who knows when and how to be at the right place at the right time. This gives him a larger than life status among his teeming followers. After he was edged out of office through a high- powered conspiracy, and with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, hovering over his head, it appeared Sylva’s political career had hit the rocks, with some of his political loyalists and associates ditching him. With the merger of the New PDP, a splinter group from the PDP (on which platform Sylva became governor) had pitched its tent with the All Progressives Congress, APC, soon, Sylva joined former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi and thus began a new political life even in the face of stiff condemnation from the home front, which labelled them rebels. The change of power at the centre following the defeat of the PDP turned things around for Sylva. The once-demonized Sylva now became an instant hero, commanding a cult-like followership among his supporters especially those that served in his administration. In no distant time his popularity which had almost vanished soared. Now, the reality is that Sylva has bright prospects in the ensuing contest. However, many had preferred Sylva to play the role of a party leader instead of throwing his hat in the ring for a fresh shot at the Creek Haven. It was reliably learnt that the former governor cum leader of the APC in the state was initially not disposed to running for the governorship but was egged on by his supporters and close associates, many of whom believed that he operated under a suffocating atmosphere with Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as Vice President and later, President. But a Sylva vs Dickson contest which according to the latter’s camp would be an easy lunch for their boss, some concerned APC members have argued could spell doom for the party. Youth friendly programmes Sylva, according to sources, is banking on his control of the APC structure to clinch the party ticket for the December 5 poll due to the fact that he has the state party structures in his pocket as all the party officials from the state to ward levels were handpicked by him or his cronies. As it were, Sylva still commands some level of followership especially from the youths who benefited while he held sway. During his stay, Sylva’s youth-friendly programmes and policies benefited many of the younger generation. He offered many young persons opportunities to serve in various leadership positions while he offered some mouth- watering contracts. He also played a major role in the success of the disarmament and amnesty programme. His shortcomings, however, included the excesses of the defunct “Operation Famou Tangbe” a security outfit established by his administration which ostensibly was under the control of the state police command. The special security outfit was known for its notoriety and extra-judicial killings and alleged state-sponsored terrorism, and many Bayelsans are yet to forget their iniquitous activities. The recent defection of many PDP chieftains to the APC that was tagged as a revolution in the state may yet be a snare. With many of the same people now contending for the ticket and interest in the APC, the fear is that the APC could well enter the contest as a divided house.