The Bayelsa chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has argued that at the Bayelsa State High Court's decision on a suit challenging the party's congress did not disqualify its candidates in the forthcoming polls.

The APC in Bayelsa in a statement issued on Saturday by Mr Emmanuel Ayakpo, Director of Administration said reports that the court had disqualified its candidates were untrue and misleading.

The statement said the falsehood and misrepresentation were the handiwork of rival political parties to distract APC from its focus of sweeping the 2023 polls in Bayelsa.

Ayakpo said the party had filed a notice of appeal and stay of execution against the decision of the Bayelsa High court on the case filed by Mr 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 judgement delivered by Hon 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 that 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 has 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 hatect 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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