APC appeals judgment on ward congress in Bayelsa

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State has challenged the judgment of the State High Court, arguing that a suit challenging the APC congress in the state does not disqualify its candidates.

The State APC in a statement by the Director of Administration, Emmanuel Ayakpo,  in Yenagoa on Saturday, denounced reports that the State High Court has disqualified party’s candidates for the 2023 elections, saying that the reports are false and misleading.

The State APC stated that falsehood and misrepresentation are the handiwork of rival political parties to distract APC from its focus of sweeping the 2023 elections in Bayelsa State.

Ayakpo said the party had filed a notice of appeal and stay of execution against the decision of the High Court on the case filed by Alex Blackson, challenging exclusion from the Ward Congress.

“We are, therefore, compelled, as a responsible political party, with the obligation of always feeding the public with the truth to put the record straight.

“Let it be established straight away that the judgment delivered by Justice I.T Cocodia of the High Court of Bayelsa state, has nothing to do with the candidates of the All Progressives Congress.

“Our candidates for House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate are eligible  and qualified to contest and win the forthcoming general elections,” Ayakpo said.

The APC said it had on Jan. 5, raised the alarm on bias and interference by the rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the case before the State High Court.

He said APC’s observation that Justice I.T Cocodia had family ties with the Adviser to the Governor of Bayelsa, Chief Collins Cocodia and fear of fairness, was ignored.

“The instant suit is that of the skin of Isau and the voice of Jacob.

“Members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party have laboured under the illusion that getting a hatchet job done in this to disqualify the candidates of  the All Progressives Congress from contesting the forthcoming general elections.

“They have boasted and made it clear to the APC family that they will dish out the Zamfara and Rivers state experience to members of the APC in Bayelsa state,” Ayakpo said.

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He noted that the party was sure of getting a judicial review of the trial court at the appeal court on the case bothering on the party’s ward congress.