Bayelsa Guber: Trouble For APC As INEC Yanks Off Sylva’s Name From List Of Candidates

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed the name of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Timipre Sylva, from the list of candidates for the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State.

The updated list, which also excluded Sylva’s running mate, Joshua Maciver, was uploaded on the INEC website and indicated “court order” in the columns where the names of the APC candidate and his running mate were supposed to be.

This decision came after the Federal High Court, Abuja, disqualified Sylva from participating in the Bayelsa state governorship election. Justice Donatus Okorowo ruled that Sylva’s candidacy would breach the constitution, as he had previously served two terms and ruled for five years as the governor of Bayelsa. Allowing him to contest again would exceed the constitutionally allowed eight years in office.

Additionally, for the Imo election, INEC included Uchechukwu Ishiodu as the governorship candidate and Ahumbe Chiazor as the running mate for the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). INEC’s decision to amend the list was in response to a court order, specifically the Federal High Court, Owerri, which directed the inclusion of the PRP candidate in the list of nominated candidates previously published on the INEC website.

Rose Oriaran-Anthony, the Secretary to the Commission, clarified that the amendments were made in accordance with court orders served on the commission, as mandated by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

The amended list of candidates for both the Bayelsa and Imo State governorship elections was published in compliance with the court’s instructions.