APC Responds To Sylva’s Disqualification From Bayelsa Guber Race, Reveals Next Steps

In response to the disqualification of its gubernatorial candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, from the November 11 election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced its intention to appeal the decision.

The Federal High Court in Abuja disqualified Sylva on the grounds that he had already served two terms as the state’s governor. The APC, however, has characterized the judgment as “unjust, unfair, and undemocratic.”

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Mr. Perry Tukuwei, the Director of Media and Publicity of the APC Bayelsa Gubernatorial Campaign Council, expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would overturn the judgment.

Tukuwei noted that the lawsuit leading to Sylva’s disqualification was initiated by a non-member of the APC who did not participate in the party’s gubernatorial primaries. He also mentioned that the lawsuit was filed outside the 14-day constitutional window for filing pre-election matters.

Furthermore, Tukuwei pointed out that the lawsuit was filed in Abuja, contrary to a Supreme Court directive that all pre-election matters should be heard in the state where party primaries were conducted.

He suggested that the judgment appeared to be a scheme by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor Douye Diri to prevent Sylva from participating in the election.

Tukuwei concluded by stating, “The party has instructed its legal team to file an appeal against the judgment, and we are confident that the Court of Appeal will overturn the decision of the Federal High Court.

This assurance is a response to a judgment that clearly reflects the involvement of the Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate, with the Federal High Court in Abuja, in a futile attempt to undermine the aspirations of the people of Bayelsa to have their preferred candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, as the next leader at Creek Haven by February 14, 2024.