The National Chairman, All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje says the party won’t be dettered in the face of a court ruling on Monday disqualifying APC candidate in the upcoming governorship election in Bayelsa State.
Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a judgement on Monday, disqualified the APC candidate, Chief Timipreye Sylva in the November 11 governorship race.
The jurist had ruled that Sylva having been sworn in twice and ruled for five years as governor of Bayelsa State would breach the 1999 Constitution (as amended) if allowed to contest and eventually wins.
Reacting to the judgement, while speaking to State House correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday, Ganduje reassured party members and supporters that the setback resulting from the judgement would not deter the APC from its preparations for the upcoming election in Bayelsa.
He reiterated the party’s commitment to the electoral process despite the recent legal challenge.
He said: “Last two weeks, I was in Bayelsa for two good days and I think they were ready and they’re still ready to win the election.
“Therefore, this is a little distraction anyway, but we will overcome it. We believe the Appeal Court will give us positive judgement, but that will not stop us from making arrangements for the forthcoming election, which is coming up on 11th November 2023.”
Ganduje called for calm among party members, stating that the individual who brought the case to court may not have been qualified to do so, as he did not contest against the APC’s candidate, Sylva, in the primary election.
He said, “Well, it’s unfortunate that judgement, but we can say that it is democracy in action.
“But we learned that the person who took the issue to the court of law is not even qualified, because he did not contest with the Sylva. Therefore, he’s not even qualified for him to take the issue to the court.”
