Former Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, has strongly criticized Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, following directives to prosecute him over the death of George Sibo during the last governorship election. The dispute escalated when Governor Diri instructed the state Attorney-General to initiate legal proceedings against Sylva and others involved in the incident at the collation center.
Governor Diri made the announcement at George Sibo’s funeral in Twon-Brass on Thursday. He claimed that Sibo, aged 31, was killed when Sylva, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the November 11 election, led supporters in an assault on the collation center, allegedly taking INEC officials hostage. Diri condemned the killing, expressing sorrow and vowing that those responsible would face justice.
In response, Sylva, through a statement from his Special Assistant on Media, Julius Bokoru, accused Governor Diri of employing diversionary tactics to distract from Sylva’s appeal case. The statement argued that Diri’s actions reflected a desperate attempt to sideline Sylva with unfounded accusations.
“Chief Sylva is curious about what Governor Diri’s apparent desperation can lead to,” the statement read. “This latest effort appears to be another tactic to distract from the ongoing appeal case, following an unsuccessful attempt to fabricate an EFCC case against Sylva.”
Sylva denied any involvement in George Sibo’s death, emphasizing that he was not present on the island at the time of the incident. He further accused Governor Diri of misusing public funds for propaganda aimed at undermining his political focus.
The statement continued, “This is clearly driven by fear and anxiety, designed to divert attention from the real issues at hand. Diri’s repeated attempts to bring Sylva down, including unfounded EFCC allegations, have all failed.”
Moreover, the statement reiterated Sylva’s commitment, alongside concerned Bayelsans and the APC, to legally reclaim what they perceive as a stolen mandate. It asserted that until justice prevails, many Bayelsans will consider Diri’s governorship illegitimate.
The conflict between Sylva and Diri highlights the intense political rivalry in Bayelsa State, underscoring the broader tensions surrounding the recent governorship election. As both parties continue their legal and public battles, the political landscape in Bayelsa remains fraught with allegations and counter-allegations.