The Bayelsa State Elders Forum of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has advised Governor Douye Diri, to remain vigilant against individuals they described as “enemies of peace and development” within the state’s political landscape.
Speaking in Yenagoa on Thursday, the elders commended Diri for his recent decision to join the APC, framing the move as a potential avenue for fostering unity and progress in the state.
They however, emphasised that the governor should not allow himself to be influenced by factions whose interests run counter to the broader goals of peace and development.
In a statement signed by the forum’s Secretary, Chief Clarkson Ayebaepreye, the elders stressed that Diri must prioritise leadership for all Bayelsans rather than aligning with any particular clique or personality.
“The people of Bayelsa deserve reconciliation and purposeful governance, not factionalism disguised as cooperation,” the statement read.
The forum also reaffirmed APC’s loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and its commitment to advancing his Renewed Hope Agenda, while cautioning against the rising intra-party hostilities in the state.
The elders singled out speculation surrounding former Bayelsa Governor Chief Timipre Sylva, claiming that a rival faction within the party had propagated unfounded allegations implicating him in a purported coup plot against the federal government.
In response, Chief Sylva’s Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Julius Bakoru, denied the allegations, describing them as “unfounded, politically motivated, and aimed at creating division.”
The Elders Forum revealed that it had commissioned a discreet fact-finding team, which confirmed that the accusations were being circulated by a small group with ties to external interests seeking to sow discord within the party.
They appealed to President Tinubu to intervene and ensure that those responsible retract the false claims, warning that the allegations could tarnish APC’s image in Bayelsa.
“The Elders Forum will continue to defend the integrity of our leaders, particularly Chief Timipre Sylva, and uphold the principles of unity, discipline, and loyalty upon which the APC was founded,” the statement added.
