Date Published: 07/20/10

Bayelsa: Plot to extend Sylva's tenure irks AC

Timipre Sylva

THE on-going schemes by some public functionaries in Bayelsa State, to elongate the tenure of the state Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, has drawn the ire of the opposition Action Congress (AC).

The backstage scheme blew into the open when the Information and Strategy Commissioner, Mr. Nathan Egba, went public to push for the tenure elongation. The Sylva men want their boss' tenure to terminate in May 2012.

Apparently piqued by their seeming unconstitutional posturing, the AC is describing the political lobby as deceptive, misleading and laughable.

While reacting to the Federal High Court judgement of Jos on the tenure of the Ekiti State Governor, Chief Olusegun Oni, Egba had stated that the same judgment does not affect the conduct of election in Bayelsa.

He claimed that the judgment on Ekiti was based on the cancellation of only 63 units in 10 local government areas, averring that the entire 2007 election results in Bayelsa was cancelled and had to be conducted again in 2008, which according to him means that the next election in Bayelsa would be held in 2012.

Speaking through its Acting Chairman, Mr. Miriki Ebikibina, AC faulted the reaction of the Bayelsa Commissioner, saying it is unprofessional of Hon. Egba to make such jaundiced statement which is a legal matter.

''For the avoidance of doubt, the 1999 constitution and the recent amendment to the constitution, as well as the federal High Court, Jos ruling on Governor Oni’s tenure has addressed the issue instructively and constructively, and hoped that Hon. Egba would not join the band wagon of past Information Commissioners in the state who have in the past acted as a town crier without a listening public.

''Section 180 (subsection2a) of the 1999 constitution states that the Governor shall vacate office at the expiration of a period of four years, commencing from the date when he took the oath of allegiance and oath of office.

''The 2010 amendment to the constitution further clarifies the position and state that a person whose election as Governor was annulled and also wins a consequent re-run does not serve more than constitutionally prescribed term of office. The constitutionally prescribed term of office for a Governor is four years. Governor Timipre Sylva was sworn-in, in 2007 and therefore the oath of office he took as a Governor in 2008 wasa a mere confirmation of the 2007 oath of office he ealier took. His tenure effectively ends on May 29, 2011'', AC said

The opposition party said it believes that the overwhelming majority of Bayelsans would not want to see Governor Timipre Sylva extend his tenure to 2012, saying that would be an aberration and a source of embarrassment to the people of the state especially as his administration has only succeeded in impoverishing the people.