The governorship ambition of the former Nigeria Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva maybe heading to a dead end as his running mate, Joshua Maciver, is a suspected convict.

The Niger Delta militant who was picked by the All Progressive Congress (APC) Governorship candidate, Sylva, as his running mate had escaped from Kaduna Prison in 2006 after being convicted for murder and terrorism.

Investigative journalist and Global Peace Ambassador, Jackson Ude made the revelation via his Twitter handle.

According to him, no record exists to show he was granted a Presidential Pardon or enlisted into the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) initiated by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

While narrating how the running mate of the Bayelsa Governorship Candidate escaped from Kaduna Prison, Ude noted that “he is alleged to have forged a PAP Identity card as no record in the Amnesty office indicates he is part of the programme.

“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 Kaduna, escaped.

“He returned to Bayelsa, cleaned himself up and has been involved in politics using ally, Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo, while authorities looked away.
Stunned by the discovery of his conviction, Timipre Sylva has been running around seeking help.

“Sylva allegedly sought the help of the Presidential Amnesty office to request that Maciver’s name be included in the PAP programme.

“His request was rebuffed by the PAP Coordinator, General Ndiomu, who insisted they cannot add his name since he was never known to have embraced the late President Yar’Adua’s initiated Amnesty programme.

“Sylva can no longer substitute his running mate according to the electoral Act except Maciver dies”, Ude said.

StreetReporters.ng