The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State yesterday insisted that the suspension on its governorship candidate, Timiprey Sylva and four others subsists even as the National Vice Chairman South-south insists that the suspension is null and void.
In a statement the state chapter said that the purported denouncement of the suspension of Timipre Sylva and 4 others by the National Working Committee of APC is false and should be disregarded.
The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to a story making the rounds that the National Working Committee (NWC) of our party, the APC has declared the suspension of Chief Timipre Sylva and 4 others as illegal, null and void.
“To set the records straight, there has been no such pronouncement or declaration, as the NWC has not sat on the matter to take any decision.
The suspension of Chief Sylva therefore stands, pending the outcome of investigations.
“The public is hereby advised to disregard the said fabricated story and look forward to the outcome of investigations on the matter”.
In another development, the National Vice Chairman South-South says that the suspension order is null and void, unconstitutional as due process not followed.
In a statement signed by National Vice Chairman South-South, Hilliard Eta, he described as disheartening the spate of suspension, counter suspension and general disorganization in the Bayelsa state chapter of the party, adding that instead of charting a cohesive front that will create a favourable condition for prosecuting their election petitions at the tribunal, the party has turned into a war zone, creating an opportunity for Seriake Dickson to savour his stolen mandate.
He said, “As the chairman of the party in the zone, I am particularly miffed by the state of affairs in Bayelsa APC and I publicly exhort the aggrieved parties to sheath their swords.
“Going by the provisions of Article 21 of the amended constitution of our party, the suspensions are null and void and done in bad faith. In the said article, our constitution lucidly outlines the steps to be diligently followed for a party member or executive to be suspended.
“In the light of the above, the suspensions going on in Bayelsa as far as the party is concerned are entirely null and void. In the interest of the entire party and those immediately concerned, the state chapter of the party should revert to the status quo ante.
“The zonal organ has directed a committee to examine the remote and immediate causes of the rift and when the committee submits it’s finding, we shall take appropriate measures to reconcile the different interests. In the spirit of change, let there be peace.