Bayelsa Election: Timi Frank Congratulates Lyon, Urges Secondus to Resign
A
Political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All
Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, on Monday, congratulated the
Governor-elect of Bayelsa state, David Lyon, describing his victory as
deserving.
Frank in a
statement in Abuja also urged National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche
Secondus and the National Working Committee (NWC) led by him to apologize or
resign over the loss of a state controlled by the party since 1999.
“This
victory was not won by the APC but by the people of Bayelsa who have resisted
imposition and oppression with their blood because of their implicit confidence
in the capacity of Lyon to transform the state and change their story for the
better,” he said.
He called
on Lyon to be magnanimous in victory and to serve as a dependable rallying
point for all Bayelsans irrespective of their political affiliations, ethnicity
or creed.
Frank
said: “Your victory is not an APC’s mandate but that of the collective will of
the people of Bayelsa. Please when you assume office, strive to use it to unite
the people of Bayelsa because the state can only attain true peace, development
and greatness when united.
“Bayelsa
has been divided for too long, but you have been chosen to heal their wounds
and wipe their tears.
“Bayelsa
has elected you Governor, it is now your turn to govern Bayelsa and cater for
all Bayelsans.
“What you
do from now will prove whether the confidence now reposed in you by the
majority of Bayelsans was misplaced or you will justify their hopes and
aspirations by carrying all stakeholders, including those who contested against
you, along in your efforts to realize the Bayelsan dream and thus build a
greater state we can all be proud to bequeath to upcoming generations.
“Your
opponents during the election equally have lofty ideals and ideas for the
advancement of the state. Therefore, embrace and work with them in the quest to
realize the overall objective of governance which is the welfare and security
of the people of the state.”
Frank
prayed for the repose of the souls that were lost during the just concluded
exercise and equally commiserated with the families of the victims.
“These
innocent Bayelsans whose lives have been brutally cut short died in the service
of the state. They paid the supreme sacrifice to make Bayelsa great. Let these
deaths, injuries and property destroyed not be in vain.
“I urge
you to immediately set up a truth and reconciliation committee to appraise all
that transpired before, during and after the election, with a view to ensure
holistic healing and reunification of the various interests in the state.”
Frank
noted that the emergence of Lyon as Governor-Elect has vindicated his position
that the PDP had chosen to relinquish the governance of Bayelsa to the
opposition APC when it decided to field a weak candidate against a popular
aspirant who could have steered the party to victory.
He called
on the National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus and the National
Working Committee (NWC) led by him, to immediately apologise to all leaders and
members of the party in Bayelsa State in particular and the country in general,
or resign their positions for deliberately trading the party’s political
capital and dominance in the state for a pot of porridge.
“Secondus
and the NWC knew what to do but they neglected to do it. This defeat is
directly attributable to their poor choices, myopic political calculations and
selfishness.
“It is our
hope that the outcome of the Bayelsa State governorship election will serve as
a lesson to the party to field popular candidates in future elections. The era
of imposition is over. Take note,” he said.
Signed
Comrade
Timi Frank
Political
Activist
Abuja