Bayelsa: Ganduje Says Court Verdict Won’t Derail APC

National chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has said the party remains resolute in the face of a recent court ruling on the Bayelsa State governorship election.

Recall that Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a judgement delivered on Monday, disqualified the Bayelsa APC candidate in the November 11 governorship election, Timipre Sylva.

Justice Okorowo ruled that Sylva, having been sworn in twice and ruled for five years as governor of Bayelsa, would breach the 1999 constitution as amended if allowed to contest again.

However, speaking to State House correspondents yesterday, Ganduje reassured party members and supporters that the setback resulting from the judgment would not deter the APC from its preparations for the upcoming elections in Bayelsa.

Ganduje 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 which is coming up on 11th November 2023.”

The APC chairman also called for calm among party members, highlighting that the individual who brought the case to court may not have been qualified to do so, as they did not contest against the APC’s candidate, Sylva, in the original election.