By Hamilton Nwosa (Head, The New Diplomat Business, Data and poll tracking desk)
Former Governor of Bayelsa State and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva has warned Rivers State Governor, Nyesome Wike against making baseless, unsubstantiated, and reckless allegations against him (Sylva) and the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), comrade Adams Oshiomhole on the claim that the APC was behind the protests that took place at the Odili’s Abuja residence.
Sylva who said he just returned from abroad where he has been on an official engagement came hard on Governor Wike, accusing him of possibly organizing the protest at the Odili’s Abuja residence with a view to hanging it on the APC in order to anger the eminent judges of the apex court as the ruling party approaches the Supreme Court for a clinical judicial review of the Bayelsa State judgment which gave the State to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
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He said: “I hope Governor Wike or those working with him have not organized this protest with the intention of hanging it on our neck. To incense the Supreme Court towards us, knowing that we intend to approach the Supreme Court again. What Governor Wike is doing is akin to deciding a matter bordering on criminality by way of Originating Summons where the issues have not been investigated and the accused given an opportunity to defend himself. Why will a Governor hasten to conclusions? If this is not adding salt to injury, what is? I have been so numbed by the events of February 13th that I could not even contemplate any other course of action than to approach the Supreme Court again. I am a man of peace and would not support any action that can cause a breach of the peace”.
Governor Wike and the Rivers State Executive Council had said while attempting to lay the blame on the door-steps of both Sylva and Oshiomhole: ‘’Council warns the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva and the National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole and their hired agents to desist from the sponsorship of violent attacks against Dr Peter Odili and members of his family.” In addition, Wike had said the State will hold Sylva and Oshiomhole responsible if anything happens to Odili and members of his family especially his wife, Mary.
But Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State and an erstwhile accomplished parliamentarian who distinguished himself as a sterling legislator in the Old Rivers State House of Assembly before the creation of Bayelsa State, in his reaction via a statement said he had known and worked with the Odilis long before Wike came into the scene, stressing that he could not be involved in any protest that has rocked the residence of the Odilis 48 hours after the Supreme Court judgment that sacked APC candidate and Governor-elect, Chief David Lyon.
Sylva who made his position known in a statement via the Bayelsa State publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Dofie Ola said he has been shocked by the Supreme Court judgment, and that as someone who has “ had several encounters with the Supreme Court of Nigeria since 2012. I have never, at any time, attempted to protest their judgment. You know how difficult it is for an old dog to learn new tricks. Why will I now?”.
Sylva who is also the leader of APC in Bayelsa State added: “On the issue of securing Governor Peter and Justice (Mrs.) Mary Odili, I have this to say: Governor Wike as Governor of Rivers State has the duty to protect all Rivers people including the Odilis. I hope he has lived up to this duty creditably. It is for Rivers people to judge. As for the threat to me, ultimately it is God that secures not man or even a Governor.”
He continued: “I have been so numbed by the events of February 13th that I could not even contemplate any other course of action than to approach the Supreme Court again. I am a man of peace and would not support any action that can cause a breach of the peace.”
Sylva concluded: “Let me conclude with these words for Governor Wike: “Those whose palm kernels were cracked by the gods should not forget to be humble.” The former Bayelsa State governor and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources full statement read thus:
SYLVA: COUNT ME OUT OF PROTESTS AT THE ODILIS
“I returned yesterday, February 19th, 2020, from an official engagement abroad to read Governor Nyesom Wike’s statement: to the effect that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and I are responsible for protests in front of Governor Peter and Justice Mary Odili’s house. There is no truth in that strange claim. Governor Wike should know in what high esteem I hold Governor Peter and Justice (Mrs) Odili whom I have known and worked with long before Governor Wike came into the picture. It will not occur to me to malign the person and image of people I hold up as role models.
“I hope Governor Wike or those working with him have not organized this protest with the intention of hanging it on our neck. To incense the Supreme Court towards us, knowing that we intend to approach the Supreme Court again. What Governor Wike is doing is akin to deciding a matter bordering on criminality by way of Originating Summons where the issues have not been investigated and the accused given an opportunity to defend himself. Why will a Governor hasten to conclusions? If this is not adding salt to injury, what is? I have been so numbed by the events of February 13th that I could not even contemplate any other course of action than to approach the Supreme Court again. I am a man of peace and would not support any action that can cause a breach of the peace.
“I have had several encounters with the Supreme Court of Nigeria since 2012. I have never, at any time, attempted to protest their judgment. You know how difficult it is for an old dog to learn new tricks. Why will I now? On the issue of securing Governor Peter and Justice (Mrs.) Mary Odili, I have this to say: Governor Wike as Governor of Rivers State has the duty to protect all Rivers people including the Odilis. I hope he has lived up to this duty creditably. It is for Rivers people to judge. As for the threat to me, ultimately it is God that secures not man or even a Governor. Let me conclude with these words for Governor Wike: “Those whose palm kernels were cracked by the gods should not forget to be humble.”
