A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Bayelsa State, Barrister Anthony George-Ikoli (SAN), has dismissed reports that he is a mole working in the interest of former Bayelsa State governor, Chief Timipre Sylva.

Ikoli said the allegations are being made because of his closeness to Sylva.

“The only reason why this question comes up is because people believe that given my closeness to Sylva, it is not conceivable that I would follow a different political path. Those who know me don’t find it difficult to believe that there is nothing between us. I am not his mole in the PDP. I am not at all,” he said.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who spoke recently in Yenagoa, the state capital, told journalists that he had to join the gubernatorial race to change the narrative.

He said: “I was Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Bayelsa State and I think Bayelsa State deserves better. The current government has done fairly well. Bayelsa State requires somebody with my level of exposure and attainment to build upon the achievements of the current government.

“I have spent quite a bit of time diagnosing the issues. We need better and more access to education. The current administration has actually tackled it very well. There is need to sustain and build on that legacy. There is need to empower the people. We need to build trust. We need to create an economy so that we don’t run to Abuja or depend on Federal government handout. I can make a huge difference.

“Considering my track record, what I did as Attorney General (2017 - 2012), there is evidence that with someone like me in office, the narrative will change dramatically for the better.”

A grassroots politician, Ikoli praised Chief Diepreye Alameyeseigha, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Seriake Dickson for contributing towards the development of the state.

“History judges everyone. The current governor is on his way out. History will write his epitaph. Governor Seriake Dickson has done very well. He has raised the bar. It is for us to raise the bar even higher.

“Bayelsa State is unique. It is the heart beat of the Niger Delta region. It is also a homogenous Ijaw State. Anyone who governs Bayelsa is automatically Ijaw leader. Dickson has done well in protecting the Ijaw nationality and projecting the Ijaw interest in the larger Nigerian context. He has reasons to be proud of his achievements in education, security, managing the resources of the state and infrastructure,” he said.

He promised to fashion the state’s economy in such a manner as to become a net exporter.

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