Diri’s aide dismisses Ijaw professionals’ claims of political witch-hunt against Sylva

The Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa Governor, Mr Daniel Alabrah, has  reacted to the Ijaw Professionals (IP), allegations that Governor Douye Diri, was subjecting the former Minister of State for Petroleum and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the November 2023 governorship election, Timipre Sylva, to a media trial over the murder of a PDP supporter during the election.

Alabrah, in a statement, said that characteristically of Sylva’s antics, the IP’s statement is like the voice of Jacob and the hand of Esau.

He noted that he is a member of the authentic Ijaw Professionals and insisted that the person who signed the statement defending Sylva is not a member of the group.

Alabrah, who shed light on Diri’s directive to the state Attorney-General, noted that as Chief Security Officer of the state, Diri’s priority was to ensure that there is no anarchy in the state.

“Hiring specious, non-existent, food-is-ready groups to engage in sophistry and defend a travesty is making light of a serious issue. Does Izon no longer mean the truth?

“It is equally curious that the group of so-called professionals does not understand that Governor Douye Diri’s directive to the Attorney-General of the state did not amount to a trial or conviction. Rather, the state’s chief executive has followed due process of law to prove an allegation.

”In the fullness of time, the law will take its course, and anyone accused will have the opportunity to prove his innocence.

“I believe the group subscribes to lawlessness, like its sponsor. But as Governor and the chief executive of the state, Senator Diri would rather uphold the rule of law to prevent anarchy.

”The Governor is not heating up the polity as nobody is above the law.

”It is also begging the issue when you reduce a criminal act to a purported political witch-hunt. Where were the so-called professionals when the INEC collation centre in Twon-Brass was invaded and an Ijaw youth killed by followers of a governorship candidate? Were they blind, deaf, and dumb at the time?