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•Diri leads in NGO’S opinion poll
From Godwin Tsa, Abuja and Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Former minister of state, petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, has lost one of his core loyalist and kinsman, Israel Sunny-Goli, who has withdrawn his support from the quest of his party taking over the state.
The former lawmaker representing Nembe/Brass Federal Constituency, said he optied out of the governorship campaigns because the All Progressives Congress (APC) does not have the structure to compete and win the November 11 poll.
Speaking in a press conference in Yenagoa, he displayed the governorship race chart in the eight local government areas predicting that incumbent governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Douye Diri, would win with landslide.
He said while other members of the party can support Sylva, he cannot remain undecided when the facts indicate that the APC lacked the capacity to win the election in the state.
He also claimed that Timipre Sylvia has taken his loyalty and support of over 20 years for granted. This is as he lauded Diri for ensuring peace reigns in the state throughout his tenure.
“As a politician I have looked at the state and how the parties are preparing and it is my right to also say how I feel and I have told you as it stands if INEC is to conduct election to day Governor Douye Diri will win all the eight local government areas landslide. And I am giving you a graphic position so wait for me to tell you who I will support come November election.”
Sunny-Goli, who was accompanied to the media interactive session by scores of traditional chiefs and thousands of supporters, dismissed the claims that he will defect to the PDP insisting that he remains a member of the APC.
“Up till date, I am still a member of the APC. You know we just elected our President, Bola Tinubu and I am proud to be among those that supported him to succeed.”
He explained that winning a governorship election is not a child’s play adding that with his knowledge as a politician Diri would win.
“You don’t take things for granted, if you want to win election you must talk to your people, Douye Diri is trying his best, he has brought peace back to the state. “
Meanwhile, an independent poll has placed Governor Diri ahead of other contestants.
Push Africa Foundation (PAF), a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) said its survey clearly indicated that Diri, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was leading others in the race in terms of popularity and acceptability for various candidates vying for the governorship poll.
It said the physical and online poll it conducted on the likely voting pattern in election saw Diri emerging first with 45 per cent of the total votes cast.
Sylva came second with 20 per cent of the votes, while Udengs Eradiri of the Labour Party (LP) was third with 10 per cent.
The findings of the poll obtained in Abuja revealed that the physical poll was carried out in six communities across each of the eight local government areas of the state.
A study of the poll results showed that 74,000 registered voters voted in the online poll while 11,800 registered voters did so physically across the eight LGA between June 28 and ended on July 29. It was conducted for a period of one month simultaneously in the eight LGA with 65 per cent male participation and female having 35 per cent while 55 per cent represented youths.
Factors considered by participants in choosing Diri during the opinion poll survey, according to findings, were his level of political tolerance and maturity, his peaceful disposition, accommodating spirit, the ongoing construction of the three senatorial roads and the attention being paid to workers welfare, among others.
Executive Director of PAF, Ms Doris Egberamen, said the second round of the poll would hold in September to identify any new development and would involve more communities and registered voters.
He said the second round of the poll is necessary because 25 per cent of the respondents were undecided in the current exercise.
