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.
“The Amendment No 2: Amended list of candidates for the 2023 Bayelsa state governorship election pursuant to court orders,” which was published on Monday on the INEC website, was signed by the Commission’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony.
On October 31, the Court of Appeal in Abuja overturned the October 9 decision of Justice Donatus Okorowo 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 election on October 9.
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Oriaran-Anthony explained that the release of the “Amendment No. 2” list, which included the names of Sylva and his ruining mate, Joshua Maciver, was in accordance with the Court of Appeal’s decision.
INEC posted an amendment list on its website on Tuesday, Oct. 24, with the names of Sylva and his running mate removed in accordance with a Federal High Court order.
Oriaran-Anthony recalled that the final list of candidates for the 2023 Bayelsa Governorship Election was amended on Oct. 16.
According to her, this 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.
“In Appeal No-CA/ABJ/CV/1060/2023, delivered on October 31, 2023, the Court of Appeal set aside the judgment of the lower court cited above.”
“By virtue of Section 287 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Constitution, 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 said.
