Bayelsa Election: INEC returns Timipre Sylva's name to governorship candidate list

Leading up to the forthcoming off-cycle gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has made a noteworthy decision by reinstating the candidacy of Timipre Sylva, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), among the contenders set to compete in the upcoming election scheduled for this Saturday.

According to a report from PoliticsNow, the names of Timipre Sylva and his running mate, Joshua Maciver, have been officially incorporated into the updated list of candidates. This revised list received the stamp of approval from INEC’s secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

On October 10, a significant twist emerged in the political landscape as Timipre Sylva faced disqualification from running for the gubernatorial position in Bayelsa State. The Federal High Court in Abuja issued a verdict, asserting that allowing Sylva to seek re-election would run afoul of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. This was primarily due to Sylva’s previous double swearing-in as governor and his five-year tenure. The court further ruled that Sylva’s potential term would exceed the maximum allowable limit.

Unfazed by this legal setback, Sylva promptly filed an appeal to challenge the court’s decision. His legal counsel, Dr. Ahmed Raji, spearheaded this effort. During the pendency of this appeal, INEC, in a move echoing the court’s decision, initially omitted Timipre Sylva’s name from the list of candidates released on October 25.

However, last week brought a game-changing turn of events. The Court of Appeal, in a decision that reverberated across the political landscape, reversed the earlier judgment that had barred Timipre Sylva from participating in the election. This development not only reinstated his candidacy but has rekindled the electoral prospects for the November 11 contest.