INEC Restores Sylva, Running Mate’s Name On List Of Bayelsa Guber Candidates

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has re-amended its list of candidates for the Bayelsa governorship election, restoring the names of Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who had previously been removed by the commission.

“The Amendment No 2: Amended list of candidates for the 2023 Bayelsa state governorship election pursuant to court orders,” which was published on the INEC website on Monday, was signed by the Commission’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

On October 31, the Court of Appeal in Abuja overturned Justice Donatus Okorowo’s October 9 decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which had nullified Sylva’s nomination as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the Bayelsa governorship election scheduled for November 11.
Following a suit filed by a member of the APC in the state, Demesuoyefa Kolomo, a Federal High Court disqualified Sylva from the contest on October 9.

Oriaran-Anthony explained that the release of the “Amendment No. 2” list, in which the names of Sylva and his ruining mate, Joshua Maciver, were re-added, was in accordance with the Court of Appeal’s decision.

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In response to a Federal High Court order, INEC posted an amendment list on its website on Tuesday, Oct. 24, removing the names of Sylva and his running mate.
Oriaran-Anthony recalled that the final list of candidates for the 2023 Bayelsa Governorship Election was amended on Oct. 16.
This, she claims, is in accordance with the Federal High Court’s Order in Suit No-FHC/ABJ/CS/821/2023 regarding the nomination of the APC candidate.

“On October 31, 2023, the Court of Appeal overturned the lower court’s decision in Appeal No-CA/ABJ/CV/1060/2023.”

“By virtue of Section 287 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the commission is bound to enforce the Orders of Court on nomination of candidates by political parties in the State.”

“The list of candidates in respect of the 2023 Bayelsa State Governorship election is hereby amended in Amendment No 2 pursuant to the judgement of the Court of Appeal” , she stated.