• Says he took him for granted

The governorship ambition of immediate past Minister of State, Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, has hit setback, as one of his loyalists and a former member of the House of Representatives, Israel Sunny-Goli, yesterday, dumped him for the incumbent governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri.

Sonny-Goli, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), quit Sylva’s campaign train, saying the former governor does not have the structure to win an election in the state.

The former lawmaker, who represented Nembe-Brass Federal Constituency, at a press briefing in Yenagoa, said Sylva, who has been his principal for over 20 years, has no structure to defeat Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Displaying a governorship race chart, Sunny-Goli said Diri is expected to emerge victorious in the eight councils of the state during the November 11 governorship election.
He pointed out that the former governor has taken his loyalty of over 20 years for granted, stressing that he can no longer continue to support him.

While saying there are other party members who will support Sylva, he said, “becausemy interest is not in him, I pulled out. This doesn’t mean the party will not conduct an election. But people should not take loyalty and support for granted.”

According to him, “I have mentioned here during my presentation thatother supporters and I, across the state, have decided on whom to support for the governorship election.”

We will let you know at the appropriate time.” Sunny-Goli, who was accompanied by scores of traditional chiefs and supporters, dismissed claims that he would defect to the ruling PDP in the state, insisting that he remains a loyal member of APC.

He said: “Till date, I am still a member of APC. You know we just elected President Bola Tinubu and I am proud to be among those that supported him to succeed.On the occasion of having issues with my principal, Sylvia, these are issues that bother on taking my loyalty of more than 20 years for granted. I have discussed with my supporters across the state. I have given them reasons for my decision, and they accepted.”