The All Progressives Congress (APC) Gubernatorial Campaign Council in Bayelsa State has issued a statement in response to Monday’s judgment by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which disqualified APC candidate Timipre Sylva from the November 11 governorship polls in the state. The statement, released by Perry Tukuwei, the Director of Media and Publicity, expressed confidence in securing a landslide victory in the upcoming election.
Justice Donatus Okorowo delivered the judgment in a suit filed by a member of the APC, Deme Kolomo, on June 13, 2023. The court ruled that Sylva’s candidacy was in violation of the 1999 constitution, as he had been sworn in twice and served as governor for five years in Bayelsa. The judge further argued that allowing Sylva to contest again would exceed the constitutional limit of eight years in office.
The APC campaign council, in its statement, viewed the verdict as an attempt to thwart the aspirations of Bayelsans who wish to see Timipre Sylva as their next governor. They declared their intention to appeal the judgment and had already briefed their lawyers for this purpose. The council expressed confidence that the appellate court would overturn the ruling.
The statement also pointed out legal issues with the case, asserting that the plaintiff, Chief Demesuoyefa Kolomo, was not a member of the APC and did not contest the party’s governorship primaries, thus lacking the standing to sue. Additionally, the case was filed outside the constitutionally prescribed 14-day period for election matters. The council also criticized the fact that the case was filed in Abuja, rather than in Bayelsa, where the primaries took place, and questioned whether this was an attempt to circumvent due process.
Despite these legal challenges, the APC in Bayelsa expressed confidence in its candidate, Timipre Sylva, and vowed to continue its efforts to secure victory in the upcoming governorship election.