By Akinwale Kasali
For the Minister of State, Petroleum, Timipriye Sylva, it is a case of better late than never. Days after an uncomfortable silence on the protest at the Abuja residence of Supreme Court Justice, the Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili and her husband, former Governor of Rivers state, Dr Peter Odili, he has finally distanced himself from the condemnable act. In doing that, he also claimed that the governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, may have planned the protest.
The protest and attack by alleged APC-hired thugs, followed the nullification of the election of David Lyon, as the Governor of Bayelsa state by the Supreme Court on February the 13th. The five-man panel of Justices which sacked Lyon was headed by Justice Peter-Odili. It was nullified following the disturbing discrepancies in the names on the five educational certificates, including an affidavit, presented by Lyon’s running-mate in the Governorship election.
Their swearing-in, as Governor and deputy, was aborted 24 hours to it, throwing the APC, especially in Bayelsa state, into a state of unprecedented shock and confusion. The candidate of the PDP, Douye Diri, who was the first runner-up in the election, along with his running- mate were, instead, sworn-in as Governor and deputy governor.
Sylva is the Leader of the APC in Bayelsa state, and had, single-handedly, picked Lyon as the governorship candidate.
Reacting to the attack on the residence of the Odilis, Governor Nyesom Wike had pointedly said Rivers state would hold Sylva and the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole responsible should anything happen to the Odilis, warned the state would retaliate if the attack on the residence is repeated.
But Sylva, in a statement made available to the media, through the All Progressives Congress, APC, publicity secretary in Bayelsa State, Doifie Ola, has washed his hands off the ugly incident. In the statement, he said he returned on February 19th, 2020, from an official engagement abroad to read Governor Wike’s statement to the effect that he and Oshiomhole were responsible for the protests in front of the Abuja residence of the Odilis.
Sylva, a former Bayelsa State Governor, stressed that there was no truth in Governor Wike’s allegation since even Wike knows to what high esteem he holds Dr Peter and Justice Odili whom he says he had known and worked with, long before Wike came into the picture.
Sylva: “It will not occur to me to malign the person and image of people I hold up as role models. I hope Governor Wike or those working with him have not organized this protest with the intention of hanging it on our neck, to incense the Supreme Court towards us, knowing that we intend to approach the Supreme Court again.
“What Governor Wike is doing is akin to deciding a matter bordering on criminality by way of Originating Summons where the issues have not been investigated and the accused given an opportunity to defend himself. Why will a Governor hasten to conclusions? If this is not adding salt to injury, what is?
“I have been so numbed by the events of February 13th that I could not even contemplate any other course of action than to approach the Supreme Court again. I am a man of peace and would not support any action that can cause a breach of the peace.
“I have had several encounters with the Supreme Court of Nigeria since 2012. I have never, at any time, attempted to protest their judgment. You know how difficult it is for an old dog to learn new tricks. Why will I now?
“On the issue of securing Governor Peter and Justice (Mrs.) Mary Odili, I have this to say: Governor Wike as Governor of Rivers State has the duty to protect all Rivers people including the Odilis. I hope he has lived up to this duty creditably. It is for Rivers people to judge. As for the threat to me, ultimately it is God that secures not man or even a Governor.
“Let me conclude with these words for Governor Wike: “Those whose palm kernels were cracked by the gods should not forget to be humble”, Sylva concluded.
