Bayelsa Governorship: APC Insists on Participation, Heads to Appeal Court

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State has insisted that it remains in the November 16, 2019 governorship election despite a Federal High Court judgment nullifying the party’s September 4 governorship primary.

The court, presided over by Justice Jane Inyang, nullified the nomination of David Lyon as the APC governorship candidate following a suit filed by former Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who also contested the party’s ticket.

Justice Inyang held that the APC primary violated the party’s rules and constitution and was therefore invalid.

The court consequently restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising any of the aspirants who participated in the primary as the party’s governorship candidate.

Reacting to the judgment, Bayelsa APC Chairman Jothan Amos expressed confidence that the party would overcome the legal setback before the election.

Amos said the APC had commenced the process of appealing the judgment and was also seeking a stay of execution pending the determination of the appeal.

He urged party members and supporters to remain calm, insisting that the APC would continue pursuing available legal remedies and participate in the governorship contest.

The development came days after another Federal High Court in Abuja disqualified the APC’s deputy governorship candidate, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, from participating in the election.

The court based the disqualification on discrepancies in information contained in documents Degi-Eremienyo submitted to INEC.

The APC also challenged that ruling on appeal.

Despite the two court decisions affecting its governorship ticket, the party maintained that its legal challenges remained active and expressed confidence that it would be able to contest the November 16 election.