Bayelsa Guber: APC Cries Out For Premature Delisting Of Their Candidate By INEC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) chapter of Bayelsa state says delisting its candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva from the list of governorship candidates for November 11 governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is premature.

According the statement made by The party’s National Publicity Secretary,Mr Felix Morka in Abuja, “The attention of the APC has been drawn to the updated list of gubernatorial candidates for the Nov. 11 governorship election in Bayelsa by INEC, which excluded our candidate’s name, Chief Timipre Sylva.

“This action by INEC may not be unconnected with the High Court judgement of October 9, which disqualified Chief Timipre Sylva as the candidate of our party.

“Our candidate and party promptly appealed that judgment and brought other processes seeking a stay of the judgment’s execution.”

“Recognising the extreme urgency of the matter, the Court of Appeal granted an order of accelerated hearing of the matter now fixed for definite hearing on Friday Oct. 27,” Morka added.

He further said that INEC was a party in the matter and had been served with all relevant filings and orders regarding the matter.

He said that Delisting the candidate before the appeal is decided is premature and could affect the outcome of the appeal and foist a situation of helplessness on the appellate court, the candidate and the party should the appeal succeed.

Morka urged INEC to withdraw its amendment under reference in the interest of fairness.

He appealed to the people of Bayelsa, especially APC’s teeming members and supporters, to remain calm while the judicial process runs its full course.

He expressed confidence that the party’s candidate would be victorious both at the Court of Appeal and at the poll.

Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a judgement presented on October 9, delisted Sylva from the list of candidates qualified to feature in the November 11 governorship election.

He ruled that Sylva, having been sworn in twice and ruled for five years as governor of Bayelsa, would breach the 1999 constitution as amended if allowed to contest again.