Perekeme Kpodo, a prominent member of the All progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa state, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to allow the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigate Timipre Sylva, former governor of Bayelsa state.
Kpodo said while some members of the administration of former president, Goodluck Jonathan, are being interrogated, “Sylva is allowed, as usual, to walk with the flag of the party for the December 5 election despite allegations of corruption against him”
He claimed that about N1.4trilion accrued to the state coffers between 2007 and 2011 when Sylva presided over the state but that the APC governorship candidate ended up increasing the debt profile of Bayelsa when he was leaving office.
Kpodo said not revisiting Sylva’s “clear cases of corruption will invariably justify the accusation that the Buhari administration is biased in its fight against corruption”.
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“It is a known fact that Chief Timipre Sylva, who has been charged with barrage of criminal charges by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) is allowed, as usual, to walk with the flag of the party for the December 5 election despite protests,” Kpodo said in a letter to Buhari.
“He was even accorded the position of deputy chairman of the transition committee of the present administration. Are we now robbing Peter to pay Paul? Is this not a game plan to discredit the hard work of your administration and the APC?
“How can a man that had over N1.4trillion accrued to his administration in five years and fail to justify the spending? Sylva had all the state monies from the ecological fund, the federal allocation and many others, but yet left the state with huge debt profile. The issue of non-prosecution of Chief Timipre Sylva is being counted against your administration and the APC by the people.
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“Many asked if the anti-corruption posture of your administration is targeted to fight the enemies and the opposition under the last administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan or to protect friends hiding under the progressive status of the All Progressive Congress (APC).? And we agreed that though the fight against corruption is total as promised by you, the Sylva’s issue must be allowed to be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted by the EFCC.”
Kpodo added that the anti-graft agency has been unable to continue with its investigation because of what is believed to be Sylva’s “solid connection” with some influential government officials in the presidency.
“A cabal has been formed within the presidency and providing embarrassing cover to some selected persons, including Chief Timipre Sylva. We are worried that they are deep in the corridors of your presidency and have become known to the people,” the letter read.
“What we have continued to ask is why is this cabal protecting Timipre Sylva? Why are they not allowing him to be prosecuted? Why are they out to rubbishing you and the APC? Why did they rubbish the hard earned reputation of the Edo state governor, Adams Oshiohmole and the national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun for the advancement of Chief Sylva? Is it meant to get power in Bayelsa and advance their shady oil interest? he asked.
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“It is laughable that the cabal has arrogated power to themselves and playing “God” with the future of the APC and your administration.”
Kpodo also said the “cabal” was plotting to rig the governorship election in favour of Sylva, saying the people will resist such move.
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