Bayelsa govt: It’s now clear that Sylva’s claims are false

The Bayelsa state government says it is now clear that Timpire Sylva, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the governorship election, made false claims about winning the poll.

Reacting to the appeal court ruling, which upheld the victory of Seriake Dickson, governor of the state, Jonathan Obuebite, commissioner for information, said the verdict has affirmed the mandate of the people.

He promised the citizens that they would not regret electing Dickson, and called on the opposition to join hands with current administration to move the state forward.

“We have just received the cheering news of the judgment of the Abuja division of the court of appeal concerning the last governorship election. The appellate court ‎in a unanimous decision validated the victory of His Excellency Governor Henry Seriake Dickson after throwing out the appeal of Chief Timipre Sylva for lacking in merit,” Obuebite said in a statement.

“This latest judgment is coming few weeks after the elections petitions tribunal also affirmed the election of Governor Dickson.

“At this juncture, it is now very clear that the allegation about irregularities in the election on one hand and the claim by Sylva on the other hand that he won the election are all false.

“Above all, we thank God almighty for the victory and the learned justices for their refusal to be intimidated by media propaganda and blackmail, as well as Bayelsans for their prayers and support.

“The government of His Excellency, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson is very humbled and will not take for granted God’s benevolence. In the light of this we assure the good people of the state of our total commitment to continue to do our best especially in the present economic hardship to provide the dividends of democracy.

“We once again extend a hand of fellowship to the few All Progressive Congress (APC) followers remaining in the state and their candidate Chief Timipre Sylva to come join hands with Gov. Seriake Dickson and contribute his own quota as a Bayelsan by firstly giving appointments to our sons and daughters at the federal level through his position as a party member with the government at the centre, create opportunities for the federal government to handle some key federal projects in the state.”