Alaibe: withdraws from the race

Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Timi Alaibe, a governorship aspirant in Bayelsa state, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress has withdrawn from the race, thus clearing the way for Timpire Sylva, a former governor of the state to clinch the ticket.

There are 18 other aspirants jostling for the APC ticket.

Alaibe announced his decision on Wednesday, with a statement on the reasons.

“It is with all nostalgia that I recall the zeal, enthusiasm and hope with which thousands of Bayelsans made a statement in the direction of change in August, 2015. I can also vividly recall a mental replay of the occasion wherein a qualitative representation of the leadership of our great party, the All Progressives Congress ( APC) ushered in respected leaders and members from their then party, Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) .

“That singular event has been phenomenal just as its true meaning and direction have all exuded confidence, unity of purpose, cohesion, collectivism and courage. That day undoubtedly marked the beginning of a people’s journey from hopelessness and squandry as enunciated by the accidental PDP-led ‎government in Bayelsa state to that of quality leadership that an APC government will represent.

“As one of such leaders who took that historic decision, I thought of giving a further bite to my burning desire to extricate the state from‎ abysmal leadership failure. Therefore, my aspiration to be governor after series of consultations was to rekindle our collective hope and lift the state beyond its current state of decay under the PDP.

“Regardless, I am not oblivious of the fundamental fact that we all need a virile, united, cohesive and collaborative APC to bring about our desires to fruition. Not only do we need this, APC deserves every sacrifice, including personal interests, to arrive at the envisaged destination come February, 2016.

“This is more so that both as individual leaders and as a party, the need to avoid the a situation of crisis that the PDP might inadvertently reap from cannot be over emphasised.

“As a result, having carefully examined the circumstances that have trailed the Governorship primaries of our great party in Bayelsa state, I have come to the conclusion that pushing my governorship ambition beyond this point carries alongside it some collateral consequences.

“Succinctly, two options are available to me. Whereas I am confident that I have the required support of my admirers and supporters‎ as well as the needed backing of Bayelsans to govern them, the hurdles set on the way of this noble project are seemingly temptous and capable of overheating the APC in Bayelsa.

“In another vein, the virtuous path to take is that virtuous one in which personal interest are sacrificed for the common good,whether for the APC or the state in general. This is the path I chose in the light of the prevailing circumstances. I therefore withdraw from the governorship primary contest.

“This decision is taken in the interest of our party especially as we face the task of the common challenge‎ of unseating the PDP in the state come December 5.”

Analysts said the decision of the former NDDC boss has left the coast clear for Timipre Slyva, the former governor of Bayelsa State who was declared winner of the rancorous primary of the APC held last Tuesday to emerge as flagbearer of APC in the rescheduled primary.

Alaibe had threatened to dump the APC, which he joined only recently from the PDP, after thugs loyal to Sylva disrupted the primaries held on 22 September.

The primary election, based on the report by Governor Adams Oshiomhole, chairman of the primary committee, was cancelled by the party and another one rescheduled for Tuesday 29 September.

But it did not take place. It  will now hold today under the chairmanship of  Brigadier-General Dan Ali.