From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) government under Senator Douye Diri to “never again tamper with its campaign materials.”
APC in a statement on Wednesday by its State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, revealed that on Tuesday night, officials of the Bayelsa State Government in cahoots with unknown security elements were allegedly seen removing Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima 2023 Presidential Campaign posters and banners across Yenagoa.
APC Presidential Campaign Council is expected in Yenagoa on Thursday for a rally promoting the 2023 presidential bid of Tinubu.
In readiness of this, the party leadership, support groups and sundry politicians had festooned the state capital with campaign materials supporting the party’s candidates.
APC described the action of the Bayelsa State government as “reckless, lawless, petty and provocative”.
“Bayelsa State belongs to all of us, irrespective of party lines. In this season of politics, we have a right to support any candidate of our choice. No authority can stop us from promoting our candidate. Never again should the government of Mr. Douye Diri tamper with our campaign materials”, the APC Spokesman said.
“For a government that did not even win the votes of the people at the last governorship elections, this act must rank as the lowest of the low”.
According to Buokoribo, the party has since reported the matter to the police authorities in the state.
When contacted for confirmation if the Bayelsa State Police Command has received such complaints, Commissioner of Police, Ben Nebolisa Okoro said he was going to cross-check if such an incident has been reported.
Meanwhile the Bayelsa State Coordinator of the Tinubu/Shettima 2023 APC Presidential Campaign Council, and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, as declaring that “the prize we expect at the end of the day is victory in next year’s presidential election, nothing less. By God’s grace, we will win.”
Sylva said the ruling party had in Tinubu a skilled and knowledgeable standard-bearer it can always depend on for victory at the poll.
The APC leader in the state added, “With Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, an experienced and indefatigable rallying point for progressive politics, carrying the flag of our great party, All Progressives Congress (APC), into the presidential election next year, I think we are on yet another bold march to a resounding victory.
“Tinubu has always been the standard-bearer of the campaign for development and transformational politics, which APC epitomises.
“We pledge that you’ve got our back always as you seek to take your rich wealth of experience to the national level, and take further the legacy of President Muhammadu Buhari.”
Sylva also stated, “In our particular experience in Bayelsa State APC, Tinubu has been a dependable ally, who has stayed with us through thick and thin. We are confident that with you, we are home and dry.”