The Bayelsa State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday said the fear of defeat at the Bayelsa Governorship Election Debate was why All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Timipre Sylva was absent at the forum.

Director of Publicity of the Restoration Campaign Organisation, Jonathan Obuebite, said in a statement that having been properly invited by the organisers of the event, Sylva had no excuse to be absent.

He said the debate was an opportune forum for the APC candidate to showcase his vision and competence to move the state forward if elected but missed the opportunity.

He said Sylva lacked the ability to grapple with issues of governance, adding that was a major reason he could not perform as expected when he was governor of Bayelsa State for about five years.

Obuebite also claimed Sylva knew the PDP candidate, Seriake Dickson, would defeat him in the debate and was reliably advised to sit out the debate.

He stated that by his absence, Sylva had shown the people of Bayelsa that he was not ready and capable to become governor and confirmed the party’s conviction that he lacked the right competency to lead especially in a period of economic challenges requiring deep thinking and vision to make a difference in the lives of the people.

“We have always stated the fact that Timipre Sylva lacked the vision and competency to be governor of Bayelsa State. So being absent deliberately at the Bayelsa Governorship Election Debate was a vindication of our conviction on this note. Of course, Sylva knew Governor Seriake Dickson will defeat him hands down on the issues of governance and development in the state and he cleverly stayed away. He just told Bayelsans he’s not ready and why the people have also rejected him ahead of Saturday’s election.”

Obuebite said Sylva’s action was an indication of how he will disappoint those he’s promised federal appointments and lured into APC but which he noted were deceptions.

•Photo shows Timipre Sylva.

Update news