Tuesday, December 24Nigeria's Authoritative Maritime News Magazine
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BAYELSA GOVERNORSHIP POLLS: APC IN DILEMMA OVER SYLVA’ CANDIDACY

Joshua Maciver, the Niger Delta militant who was picked by the All Progressive Congress, APC, Governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, as running mate reportedly escaped from Kaduna Prison in 2006 after being convicted for murder and terrorism, Shipping World investigations have revealed.

We have also uncovered that no record exists to show Maciver was indeed granted a Presidential Pardon or enlisted into the Presidential Amnesty Program, PAP.

The ex militant leader is alleged to have forged a PAP Identity card as no record in the Amnesty office indicates he is part of the program.

Our sources revealed that in 2006, Maciver told Prison officials he needed an urgent medical attention for a life threatening ailment. On his way to the hospital, Maciver, with the help of some Niger Delta Militants who stormed the maximum prison Kaduna escaped.

He later returned to Bayelsa, cleaned himself up and has been involved in politics using his ally, a powerful Niger Delta war lord, while authorities looked away.
Stunned by the discovery of his conviction, Timipre Sylva camp has been thrown into a fix, as the former Petroleum Minister has been running from pillar to post,seeking help for top party big wigs of the All Progressive Congress. Sylva , sources said, allegedly sought the help of the Presidential Amnesty office to request that Maciver’s name be included in the PAP program, a request that was rebuffed by the PAP Interim Administrator, General Barry Ndiomu, who insisted they cannot add his name since he was never known to have embraced late President Yar’Adua’s initiated Amnesty program. All attempts to have Gen Ndiomu authenticate this position was unsuccessful has he neither responded to our phone calls nor text messages.

As it stands, Chief Timipre Sylva can no longer substitute his running mate according to the electoral Act except Maciver dies.