Loyalists trace Alaibe’s support for Sylva to board appointment, contracts, vow not to back Bayelsa APC guber candidate

The reported endorsement of All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, by former aspirant, Timi Alaibe, has been attributed to promise of board appointment and contract awards by the Federal Government.
A deal to this effect was said to have been sealed at a meeting in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), David Babachir Lawal, in Abuja on Friday between Sylva and Alaibe.
The meeting, which was initiated by Sylva, a reliable source said, had specific trade-offs that allegedly extracted commitment from Alaibe to support the former governor in his quest to return to the Creek Haven, the seat of government in the South-South state.
According to the source, who pleaded anonymity, part of the deal was that Alaibe would be refunded a percentage of expenses he incurred during the primary election in addition to board appointment and contract awards.
On his part, Alaibe as a matter of commitment, would have to ensure that his supporters now rally round Sylva and work for his election.
Accordingly, Alaibe was said to have directed his supporters to work for Syla but the challenge is that the supporters are not yielding to Alaibe’s directive.
It was gathered that most of Alaibe’s supporters have kicked against the deal with Sylva, expressing anger that they have been used and short-changed once again.
A staunch supporter of Alaibe, who pleaded not to be mentioned, said the deal was not in the best interest of the followers of the former NNDC boss, maintaining that it was an arrangement with a personal interest and never that of party members who had suffered with Alaibe over time.
“The truth is that the deal is a personal benefit for Chief Timi Alaibe. In any case, we are not surprised by the deal because that is what Alaibe is known for. He has a way of abandoning his supporters after settling himself. This has been our experience over the years but it won’t work this time.
“We have been deceived long enough and this time, we will not allow ourselves to be taken for a ride again for the usual selfish reasons. It is clear that our leaders in the APC are selfish, greedy and narrow-minded. Rather than allow ourselves to be deceived once again, we will consult amongst ourselves and take a decision on the way forward”, one of them said.