Sylva's Appeal Needless Distraction, Says Gov Diri

Sylva’s Appeal Needless Distraction, Says Gov Diri

Senator Douye Diri, governor of Bayelsa State, has described the appeal filed by the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the November 11, 2023 poll in the state, Chief Timipre Sylva, as a needless distraction.

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In his reaction shortly after the Appeal Court sitting in Abuja dismissed the application of Chief Sylva and the APC for lacking in merit, Governor Diri said the case was not only a distraction for him but for the entire state.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying that he was not surprised about the outcome of the case given the character of the APC candidate.

He said the verdict was a victory for people of the state and that he was ready to meet Sylva at the Supreme Court.

He said: “It (the appeal) is a distraction not only to me but also to the government and people of the state. You also know the character of the person involved. So this is not unexpected.

“However, it is victory for Bayelsa State and I do not think I want to waste my time calling on anybody to work with us. They already said they are going to the Supreme Court. So, we will meet them there.”

Counsel to Governor Diri, Mr. Chris Uche (SAN), who also spoke to journalists, explained that the appellant (Sylva) failed to provide evidence and that the verdict of the appeal court vindicated his legal team and the election tribunal, which earlier upheld Governor Diri’s election.

Mr. Uche said by the victory, the governor can now concentrate on his service to people of the state and expressed the confidence that given the facts of the case, the verdict of the Supreme Court will not be different.