INEC removes Sylva from list of Bayelsa gubernatorial candidates

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published revised candidate lists for the upcoming governorship elections in Bayelsa and Imo States. The updated lists were made available on the commission’s website and reflect recent court orders regarding the candidates.

In the case of the Bayelsa State election, the names of Timipre Sylva and his running mate from the All Progressives Congress (APC) were notably absent. Instead, the column for the APC candidate and running mate remained blank, with “court order” cited as the reason.

The amended lists, bearing the signature of INEC’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, were issued in response to court orders concerning the candidate nominations. According to Oriaran-Anthony, these actions were carried out in compliance with the court’s directives.

She pointed out that the initial list of candidates for the 2023 Bayelsa State Governorship Election was published on June 9, following the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the electoral timetable. However, the subsequent court order prompted the commission to modify the list, aligning it with the court’s instructions.

Similarly, in the case of Imo State, INEC included the names of Uchechukwu Ishiodu as the governorship candidate and Ahumbe Chiazor as the running mate for the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) in response to a court order.

These court orders were necessitated by various legal disputes, including one in which Timipre Sylva was disqualified from participating in the Bayelsa State election. The Federal High Court’s judgment on October 10 cited that Sylva’s candidacy violated the constitution as he had previously served as Bayelsa State governor for two terms and more than eight years. As a result, the court ruled against his eligibility.

The Federal High Court in Owerri also issued an order in another case, mandating INEC to include the PRP candidate’s name in the list of nominated candidates.

These actions underscore INEC’s commitment to adhering to court decisions and ensuring that the candidate lists align with the law.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)