Admin l Friday, July 06, 2018
LAGOS, Nigeria – A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Saturday Osharikeni, has written to the leaders of the party and former governor of the state, Timipre Sylva ahead of his forthcoming 54th birthday celebration in Yenagoa. The APC chieftain appealed that “this year’s birthday (coming up this Saturday, tomorrow), be different” from previous celebrations which had always ended up in bloodshed.
“Already, preliminary observations and reports from the streets point at a possible reoccurrence of these uncivil activities. There is tension already, the various cult groups are already spoiling for war. There should be an exception this time around in the interest of our party APC and Bayelsa State”, he emphasised in the letter.
Osharikeni recalled that previous birthdays marked in Yenagoa by Sylva were characterised by a spiral of violence, criminality, cult clashes and even loss of lives, thereby giving our dear state bad name in the comity of states. The politics in a personal letter addressed to Sylva advised that instead of criminality, bloodshed and violence, he should “use the occasion of your 54th birthday to dispel the perception that you are a violent leader surrounded mostly by criminals and cultists.”
The letter appeal reads: “Wishing my supreme and well respected leader, the Opuabadi himself, Chief Timipre Sylva, the former Governor of Bayelsa State a happy birthday is the right thing to do. So I want to specially wish you a happy birthday and many happy returns. I will as well be there to pop Champaign with you come Saturday.
“However, it is equally proper to make this sincere appeal sir. I can recall that previous birthdays marked in Yenagoa were characterised by a spiral of violence, criminality, cult clashes and even loss of lives, thereby giving our dear state bad name in the comity of states. Sir, I humbly appeal that this year’s birthday be different. Sir, let this birthday party be void of cult clashes and loss of lives. Let the narrative be different this time so there can be a new and favourable narrative for us and our party – the All Progressive Party (APC).
“It is a good thing to celebrate birthdays, yes it is, however, such celebrations must promote peace, unity and tolerance, not chaos as witnessed in previous birthdays marked in the state. Sir, I appeal that you use the occasion of your 54th birthday to dispel the perception that you are a violent leader surrounded mostly by criminals and cultists! I know you can do this especially now that our party, APC is repositioning to take over Bayelsa State!
“I also want to see and hear you capitalize on the birthday bash to award scholarships to students, visit and give financial aid to those in the motherless babies homes and prisons. Finally, since God Almighty is the giver of life, it is proper for you to organize a thanksgiving service in a chosen church in Yenagoa where Bayelsans can join you and your family to thank God for another glorious year. Let us prove for once that Sylva is also a man of faith surrounded by peaceful people. This is my humble appeal. Happy birthday in advance Ajana 1.”
