The Appeal Court on Tuesday has ruled on suit disqualifying Timipre Sylva, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from participating in the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State.
DAILY GIST recalls that Justice Donatus Okorowo of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, had on October 9, disqualified Sylva as candidate of APC in the election.
Justice Okorowo, in his judgement, held that Sylva having been sworn in twice as governor of Bayelsa State, was unfit for the 2023 race because if allowed to contest again and eventually win the election, he will be administered oath of office for the third time, which is against the provision of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
But the Appeal Court on Tuesday upheld Sylva’s appeal against the earlier court order which sacked him from the race.
The appellate court, said the respondent in the appeal before it, Deme Kolomo, who is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), lacked the legal right to approach the court for an order to disqualify Sylva from the governorship race.
Reacting on the development, the APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru wrote via his account on the X platform that Sylva is back in the race.
“Sylva is back in the race for Bayelsa as the Court of Appeal upheld his appeal,” he wrote.
More details to follow…
