Sylva Distances Self From Protest, Upbraids Governor Diri

Former Bayelsa State governor and junior minister of Petroleum, Dr Timipre Sylva, has lambasted the Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri, of linking him with the planned nationwide protest.

Sylva, who was also the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last Bayelsa election, accused Diri of politicising the protest, adding that if anyone were to protest against bad governance in Bayelsa state, it would not be against President Tinubu but against Governor Diri.

Stressing that he would never encourage protests because they are mostly counter productive, the former governor, who reacted through his X handle, said, “Seeing statements credited to Gov. Douye Diri at his ‘security Council’ meeting, I shudder in disbelief. How could a Governor, instead of joining hands with me in my efforts to prevent the protest, be accusing me falsely.

“And let’s say the truth, if anyone were to protest against bad governance in Bayelsa state, it would not be against President Tinubu but against Governor Diri. In spite of that, I believe that protests are mostly counter productive. And I will never encourage them.

“Just a day before his statement, I had asked our youths to shelve the protest and give more time to President Tinubu. Prior to that, I had spoken to youth leaders in and around Bayelsa State, on phone and in person, on the need to give the president more time as he is working tirelessly to better our lot. My statement was extensively published and well received and I strongly believe it got to the hearts of millions of our youths nationwide.”

Sylva said, waking up to Gov. Diri’s accusations of his supporting #endbadgovernance and hunger protest, was a political culture-shock to him.

“Hardly can I fathom the fact that Gov Diri would politicize such a serious matter and openly harass me, and churn out such irresponsible, insensitive and divisive rhetorics.

“The state government feels there is great wisdom in linking me with a certain Ebideke Atuwo, a Chap I do not know. On investigation, the chap is from Ekeremor. Same place as Senator Lokpobiri.

“If the link with me is because he is a ‘member’ of the APC, then I dare remind Gov Diri that the Hon. Minister of State (Oil) is also a ‘member’ of APC too.

“Instead of trading accusations and rocking the boat, at this critical time, let us join hands together as leaders of our people to give them hope. This is yet another opportunity to tell our youths to shelve the protest.

“We cannot get the succor we need if our economy is grounded and our streets occupied. While dissent is natural and sometimes inevitable, only sincere dialogue guarantees peace and progress,” he said.