The All Progressives Congress (APC) Chieftains have petitioned the party’s national leadership demand the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva’s resignation.
The party chieftains from the 43 wards in Ekeremor, Ogbia, Sagbama, Kolokuma/Opokuma and Southern Ijaw LGAs of Bayelsa, in a petition to the party’s national leadership, said as of the time Sylva was screened, he had not resigned his appointment.
The petition addressed to the National Chairman, Sen Abdullahi Adamu, secretary, legal adviser and national organizing secretary of the APC, was signed by Doubra Kpoku, Nelson Gbeinbo, Charles Fyneman, Ogbel Joseph, Dressman Isowo, among others.
Reports say that Sylva had obtained his expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the party’s ticket and was screened last Saturday ahead of the governorship election in Bayelsa slated for November.
But the 1999 Constitution provides that a public office holder seeking political office in an election must resign before contesting.
However, information reaching Truth Live News has it that the petroleum minister is yet to do so as he still functions as a minister.
The stalwarts in the petition said Sylva’s action was a violation of the party’s constitution.
The petition entitled: “Request for Disqualification of Chief Timipre Marlin Sylva, the Hon Minister of State Petroleum Resources, from Participating in the APC Bayelsa State Gubernatorial Primary Scheduled for April 14, 2023, or any Other Date” said when he presented himself for the screening; it was already less than 30 days.
Part of the petition reads: “It is only reasonable that he should respect the party’s constitution by resigning 30 days before the primary (scheduled for April 14, 2023).
“It is clear that as at 25th of March, 2023, when the minister presented himself for the screening; it was already less than 30 days to 14th of April, 2023, being the date scheduled for the APC governorship primary in Bayelsa State for which the hon minister is an aspirant.”