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APC’ll appeal judgment disqualifying Sylva from contesting Bayelsa guber poll: Ganduje

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court disqualified former Bayelsa governor, Mr Sylva, from contesting the election coming up in November.

• October 10, 2023
Abdullahi Ganduje and Timipreye Sylva
Abdullahi Ganduje and Timipreye Sylva

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) says it will appeal the court judgment against its Bayelsa governorship candidate, Timipreye Sylva.

Abdullahi Ganduje, APC national chairman, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mr Ganduje described the judgment as unfortunate, noting that it was democracy in action.

‘’Well, it’s unfortunate that judgment, but we can say that it is democracy in action.

“But, we learned that the person who took the issue to the court is not even qualified because he did not contest with Sylva.

‘’Therefore, he’s not even qualified for him to take the issue to the court. However, we are appealing. We’re waiting for the judgment, and then we appeal for calm on that issue,’’ Mr Ganduje said.

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court disqualified former Bayelsa governor, Mr Sylva, from contesting the election coming up in November.

Justice Donaltus Okorowo ruled on Monday that Mr Sylva would violate the 1999 constitution by running after taking the oath of office twice and ruling for five years as governor of Bayelsa.

Mr Sylva was governor of Bayelsa between 2007 and 2011 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Mr Ganduje, however, said the judgment would not deter the party from its arrangement for the election next month.

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 judgment, but that will not stop us from making arrangements for the forthcoming election.”

(NAN)

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