Sylva Accepts 'Dark' Supreme Court Ruling

SAN FRANCISCO, April 20, (THEWILL) - Former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva has accepted Friday’s ruling by the Supreme Court, which dismissed the suit he instituted to challenge his non-declaration as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last governorship election of the state.

“As a democrat, Chief Timipre Sylva accepts today’s ruling of the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” his media aide, Doifie Ola said in a statement released to THEWILL. “He, however, considers the decision of the apex court as dark for democracy and justice in Nigeria.”

Describing the ruling as “only the judgement of man and, certainly, not justice,” he said that everyone involved in the Bayelsa State governorship matter will still go on to face the judgement of history and the judgement of God, as neither history nor God will condone impunity.

He thanked his followers in Bayelsa State and lovers of democracy across the country for holding out despite intimidation, threats, and pressure to abandon the path of democracy and justice.

“He extends his special gratitude to members of the Bayelsa State caucus of the National Assembly, who stood firm on democracy, as well as members of the Nigerian Governors Forum, senior citizens from across the country, and all his supporters,” the statement said. “Sylva commends the media and the human rights community for speaking out on the side of truth and justice, and he remains confident that he still has a long and bright political career ahead of him.”