Former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, today breached
President Goodluck Jonathan’s security, walking up to the Nigeria leader at the
high table of a wedding party and shaking hands with him.
President Goodluck Jonathan’s security, walking up to the Nigeria leader at the
high table of a wedding party and shaking hands with him.
The occasion was the public
wedding reception of a daughter of another former governor, Peter Odili. A
security source told Sahara Reporters both the security and protocol of the
President were taken aback Mr. Sylva’s action, as he approached the high table
while the president was already seated with other guests, however, they claimed
they knew the president was not in any danger.
wedding reception of a daughter of another former governor, Peter Odili. A
security source told Sahara Reporters both the security and protocol of the
President were taken aback Mr. Sylva’s action, as he approached the high table
while the president was already seated with other guests, however, they claimed
they knew the president was not in any danger.
A source close to Mr. Sylva
said he only went to greet his next-door neighbor and celebrant,
Mr. Odili and that he (Sylva) used that opportunity to say ” hello ”
to the President as a form of courtesy. ” It was a chance meeting between
the two, there is no reason to impute any motive, when Mr. President asked
Sylva how he was doing he said he was still alive and left to his seat
afterwards, ” said the source that witnessed the incident.
said he only went to greet his next-door neighbor and celebrant,
Mr. Odili and that he (Sylva) used that opportunity to say ” hello ”
to the President as a form of courtesy. ” It was a chance meeting between
the two, there is no reason to impute any motive, when Mr. President asked
Sylva how he was doing he said he was still alive and left to his seat
afterwards, ” said the source that witnessed the incident.
Sylva, the former
governor of Bayelsa State, is facing corruption charges initiated by the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
governor of Bayelsa State, is facing corruption charges initiated by the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Mr. Sylva has repeatedly
stated that his trial was motivated by his political disagreements with Mr.
Jonathan. He was prevented from running for a second term in office by Mr.
Jonathan, who then imposed upon the state as governor, his protege, Seriake
Dickson.
stated that his trial was motivated by his political disagreements with Mr.
Jonathan. He was prevented from running for a second term in office by Mr.
Jonathan, who then imposed upon the state as governor, his protege, Seriake
Dickson.
Political observers say
that today’s event also reflects the intricate connections between power and
corruption in Nigeria. Odili is widely-known to have looted the resources of
Rivers State during his tenure as governor, but has never been prosecuted
because of a perpetual injunction he obtained for self-protection.
that today’s event also reflects the intricate connections between power and
corruption in Nigeria. Odili is widely-known to have looted the resources of
Rivers State during his tenure as governor, but has never been prosecuted
because of a perpetual injunction he obtained for self-protection.
Although all of that
information must be in the hands of President Jonathan, who claims to be
fighting corruption, he chose to publicly take a seat at a wedding
funded by proceeds of corruption
information must be in the hands of President Jonathan, who claims to be
fighting corruption, he chose to publicly take a seat at a wedding
funded by proceeds of corruption
