Sylva: Jonathan presidency a mistake for Bayelsans

Former governor of Bayelsa state, Timipre Sylva, has publicly condemned President Goodluck Jonathan, insisting Muhammadu Buhari is a better choice for the nation.

Speaking during an interactive session on Royal FM, a radio station in Bayelsa state, Sylva said Jonathan was a mistake, which Bayelsans must not make again.

“As far as am concerned, my brother is the one I met on the streets who took me into his home, and I am sure you will agree with me that a brother who pushed me into the streets for the fox to eat me up is not my brother,” he said.

“I don’t think Bayelsa should make the mistake again, his problem is that he only thinks about himself.”

Emphasising his support for Buhari, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sylva said the Niger Delta region had gained nothing significant from the Jonathan’s administration.

“If I have somebody else that is not my brother but a friend with my interest at heart, it is better,” he said.

“Let us look, what has Bayelsa gained from the presidency? Where is the federal project in the state that is significant? I don’t see any. Not even electricity is available in Otuoke, look at Bayelsa, look at the Niger Delta region.

“Why is the Brass LNG not working, because we know where the project was under Obasanjo. Why is it that all they promised us under amnesty has not been fulfilled?

“You remember they promised us a new city. Where are those small cities, under our brother? Is there any serious institution established here to empower our youths to give them skills? Where is the institution built in Bayelsa?

“What has been done is that some private jets have been bought by their cronies. Is that what Bayelsa is about? Is that what a Niger Delta presidency is about? We all fought for this power but certain people have hijacked it.”

Sylva went on to explain how he fell out with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said it was mainly hinged on one tower project embarked upon by the previous administration, which he continued in good faith, only to see unacceptable misdeeds.

“I didn’t want to quarrel with the past administration. I would have cancelled the project, but I decided to continue with the projects even though I didn’t agree with all of them.

“I gave out N6 billion to the contractor and he took the project to where we are, and came to me that he needed a variation and that the original contract did not include external works, including environmental works.”