Bayelsa election: INEC re-amends list of candidates, reinstates Timipre Sylva

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has once again revised its list of candidates for the upcoming Bayelsa State governorship election, scheduled for this Saturday.

In this latest amendment, the electoral body has reinstated the name of Timipre Sylva, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), which had been initially removed in compliance with a court order.

The development was confirmed in a document signed by the Commission’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, and subsequently published on INEC’s official website on Monday.

Oriaran-Anthony clarified that the release of “Amendment No 2” involved the re-inclusion of Timipre Sylva and his running mate, Joshua Maciver, in accordance with a judgment from the Court of Appeal.

Recall that that on October 24, INEC had uploaded an amended list on its website, omitting the names of Sylva and his running mate to adhere to the directives of a Federal High Court.

Oriaran-Anthony stated that the final list of candidates for the 2023 Bayelsa Governorship Election had been altered on October 16, pursuant to the Order of the Federal High Court in Suit No-FHC/ABJ/CS/821/2023, which pertained to the APC candidate’s nomination.

However, the Court of Appeal rendered a judgment on October 31, 2023, in appeal No-CA/ABJ/CV/1060/2023, setting aside the decision of the lower court mentioned above. This outcome led to the reinstatement of the names of the APC candidate and his running mate on the INEC list.