I’m not hiding John Togo –Gov Sylva

Posted by admin Bayelsa, Headlines, Niger Delta, State News Thursday, May 19th, 2011

Governor Timipre Sylva has denied hiding the leader of the Niger Delta Liberation Force (NDLF), John Togo, in Bayelsa State Government House. Sylva was reacting, through a statement ‘Sylva not hiding John Togo’ signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Doifie Ola, to claims by the Camp Administrator of Obubra Amnesty Camp, Mr. Ekpein Appah that he was hiding Togo in Bayelsa State Government House. He described as unfortunate the unfounded allegations that the militant leader was his guest because he want to use him for political reasons.

According to him, followers of the amnesty programme were aware that the programme was the initiative of Sylva who sold the idea to the late President Umaru Yar’Adua to ensure that peace returns to the Niger Delta region. Noting that having invested so much of his energy to ensure the success of the amnesty programme, Sylva would not do anything to undermine the programme by keeping a fugitive away from the long arms of the law, adding that those who think they could cause disaffection between Sylva and President Goodluck Jonathan before the 2012 elections would not succeed as God and Bayelsans were solidly behind the governor.

The statement reads in part: “That report is unfair, irresponsible and disturbing. It is false in every material particular. Everyone, who has followed the history of the amnesty programme in the Niger Delta knows that Bayelsa State represents the poster-child of its success. It was Governor Sylva who sold the idea of the programme to late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

“It is, therefore, unthinkable that the governor would want to do anything to undermine a programme he has invested inestimable institutional and personal resources. Sylva has no reason whatsoever to shield John Togo or any wanted person from the law. No. The idea that John Togo is in Government House, Yenagoa, when he is not even from Bayelsa State, is simply laughable.

“But then, we understand the desperation of a few of our politicians and their paid and unpaid agents.
“For us, this report represents one in a series of coming reports by someone who is neurotic about being Governor of Bayelsa State, working covertly and overtly, to create disaffection between President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Timipre Sylva.”

-Sunwp_posts