Ex-APC spokesman says Bayelsa party remains strong after Sylva's exit

A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Mr Yekini Nabena, says the party is still strong in Bayelsa despite the defection of former Governor Timipre Sylva.

Nabena made this statement in a release on Wednesday in Abuja. He was reacting to Sylva's exit from the party.

He expressed confidence that APC will win elections at all levels in the state, with or without Sylva.

Sylva, who once served as Minister of State for Petroleum, announced his departure from APC on Monday. He claimed that the party had strayed from the principles it was built on.

Nabena, speaking for about 90 percent of APC members and stakeholders in Bayelsa, said the party remains strong and united. He emphasized that APC is still a force to reckon with in future elections in the state.

He added that the party's structure and stakeholders are committed to staying with APC. They aim to work for its success and support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign in Bayelsa.

Nabena said they are also focused on ensuring all party candidates win in the upcoming elections.

While wishing Sylva well in his political journey, he stated that APC in Bayelsa has grown into a strong institution, larger than any single individual.

He mentioned that they received Sylva’s resignation letter dated August 31 with deep reflection.

"You (Sylva) have stated clearly that you could no longer remain in a party whose leaders believe that all is fair in politics.

"You also stated that the ideals upon which the APC was founded have been thoroughly and unrecognizably thwarted. I respect your courage to take this risk and history will vindicate men of conviction.

"While we wish you well in your political journey outside APC, the majority of us in the Bayelsa APC family feel differently about your decision and we boldly say we will remain in APC where we have invested.

"We will stay where we have sacrificed and built a solid political structure. We will work hard to support candidates, from President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 to all other candidates.

"We cannot abandon our people in the APC and jump ship. We will not abandon the ship for nowhere because the problem facing the country is not about the political parties, but about leadership.

"Politicians are not manufactured anywhere but recycled," he said.

Nabena thanked Sylva for his leadership over the years and his contributions to the party’s growth in the state. He stressed that outside of politics, Sylva remains a respected leader to many in Bayelsa.