Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Government monday accused ex-Governor Timipre Sylva of planning to destabilise the state by inciting residents and painting the government in bad light.
A statement by the government through the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite, noted that Sylva was latching on the recently released N10billion for completion of ongoing projects in the state to discredit the current administration.
But a response from Sylva’s camp was not immediately available as a text message sent his media aide, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo was not replied.
However, the former governor’s handlers have always accused the government of being afraid of its shadows.
Part of the statement signed by Obuebite read: “ We have been reliably informed of an alleged plot by embattled former governor, Chief Timipre Sylva and his party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) to begin another round of propaganda aimed at inciting people of the state against the government.
“This latest move to paint the government in bad light is on its final stage of being sold to the public and pertains to the N10 billion that was sometime ago released to states for completion of ongoing projects.
“We are aware that Sylva and his army of dishonourable party men have engaged the services of some media organizations to publish damaging details of how the money was allegedly diverted and embezzled by the government.”
It continued: “It is not a surprise to us because we know that the former governor and his cohorts will go to any length to discredit this administration. As a matter of fact they have never seen anything good from us.
“Their frustration is understandable: In 2012 Bayelsans stoned and denied them the opportunity to continue their rascality and bad style of governance and when they made another attempt to return last year they were again roundly rejected.
”Also an attempt to force their way back to power through the back door using the courts have been futile as the judiciary has rejected their mischievous case laced with deceit and lies.”
The government maintained that funds released have so far been paid to contractors handling various projects in the educational sector including the Ecumenical centre, dualisation of Igbogene road, construction of terminal building at the Bayelsa International Airport in Amassoma, among others.
“We therefore urge Bayelsans to disregard the Sylva and APC sponsored, unfounded, baseless and reckless report that is about to be published as it is in bad taste. They are only interested to run this government down and destabilise the state by all means simply because it has become crystal clear that they cannot return to Creek Haven,” the government said.
