Bayelsa to prosecute Sylva, others over PDP member’s death

The Bayelsa State government is set to prosecute former Minister of State, Petroleum Resources and the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Timipre Sylva, over the death of one person recorded in Brass during the governorship election in November 2023.

A member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and an agent for the election, One George Sibo, was said to have been killed at the Independent National Electoral Commission Collation Centre, Brass Local Government Area, during the election.

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, who stated this during the burial of the deceased on Thursday in Twon-Brass, directed the state Attorney-General to commence legal action against Sylva, over the incident.

Diri, while expressing sadness over the dastardly killing of the young man, described the deceased as a hero of democracy and promised that the state government would bring the culprits to book.

He stated that as chief security officer of the state, he declined to use his powers in the face of provocation against the main opposition party candidate in the election, who prevented the PDP from campaigning in his community, Nembe-Bassambiri.

Diri emphasised that as governor, he deliberately did not challenge the excesses of the APC candidate as it would have resulted in the loss of innocent lives.

He said, “There are a lot of questions to answer. What was the candidate of the APC, Timipre Sylva, doing at the collation centre in Twon-Brass a day after the election? Why did he go there with the large crowd that led to the killing of this young man?

“I am pained and that was why I directed that autopsy be carried out, which has been done. I have further directed the Attorney-General to institute a case against Timipre Sylva and all those who invaded the collation centre that led to the killing of George Sibo.

“The Attorney-General of Bayelsa State will institute legal action to unravel his killers. The government of Bayelsa State is there to protect the lives of our people. I came here to mourn with you as we enter a promising young man of our state and Brass kingdom.”

The governor also directed the immediate employment of the deceased’s two wives in the state civil service to enable them to take care of their children.

The Brass PDP Caucus Chairman, Chief Sam Ateke, commended the governor for his resolve to unmask the killers of the party faithful through legal means and promised that the Brass people would cooperate with the government to get justice.