ABUJA – The national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has said the party remains resolute in the face of a Monday’s court ruling on the APC candidate for the Bayelsa State governorship election.

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

Justice Okorowo 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.

However, speaking to State House correspondents in Abua 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.

Ganduje emphasized 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.”

The APC national 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 primary election.

“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,” Ganduje stated.