Bayelsa 2023: INEC Restores Sylva As APC Governorship Candidate

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reinstated the names of former Petroleum Minister and All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship candidate, Timipre Sylva, and his running mate, Joshua Maciver, for the upcoming governorship elections in Bayelsa state.

VerseNews reports that the decision follows a Court of Appeal ruling that overturned the previous judgment by Justice Donatus Okorowo, who had nullified Sylva’s nomination.

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

Oriaran-Anthony explained that the release of the list “Amendment No 2” in which the names of Sylva and his ruining mate, Joshua Maciver, were re-added, was in obedience to the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

INEC had on Tuesday, October 24, uploaded an amendment list on its website and omitted the names of Sylva and his running mate in obedience to order of a Federal High Court.

Oriaran-Anthony recalled that the final list of candidates for the 2023 Bayelsa Governorship Election was amended on October 16.

This, according to her, is pursuant to the Order of the Federal High Court in Suit No-FHC/ABJ/CS/821/2023 in respect of the nomination of the APC candidate.

Oriaran-Anthony added that “The Court of Appeal, in a judgement delivered on October 31, 2023, in appeal No-CA/ABJ/CV/1060/2023 set aside the judgement of the lower court cited above”.

The decision of the Appeal Court led to the restoration of the names of the APC candidate and his running mate.