Federal High Court, Abuja, in a judgement delivered on Monday, disqualified the Bayelsa State All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the November 11 governorship election, Chief Timipre Sylva.
By Emma Ogbuehi
Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a judgement delivered on Monday, disqualified the Bayelsa State All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the November 11 governorship election, Chief Timipre Sylva.
Justice Okorowo ruled that Sylva, former Minister of state (Petroleum) 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.
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The judge also declared that Sylva was not qualified to run in the November poll because if he wins and is sworn in, he would spend more than eight years in office as governor of the state.
Citing the case of Marwa vs Nyako at the Supreme Court, Okorowo noted that the drafters of the country’s constitution stated that nobody should be voted for as governor more than twice and that the parties to the suit agreed that Sylva was voted into office two times.
He further stated that the Supreme Court ruled in the case of Marwa vs Nyako that nobody can expand the constitution or its scope. So, if Sylva is allowed to contest the next election, it means a person can contest as many times as he wishes.
The suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/821/2023 was filed on June 13, 2023 by Deme Kolomo, a member of the APC.
The disqualification of Sylva adds to the crisis in the Bayelsa APC that has seen may key members of the party resigning their membership and joining the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).