Sylva: APC Tells INEC to Withdraw Amended List of Bayelsa Guber Candidates

In a recent development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rethink its decision to exclude its candidate, Timipre Sylva, from the list of contenders for the upcoming Bayelsa governorship election scheduled for November 11.

The demand for the withdrawal of the amended candidate list was articulated in a statement released by the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka, based in Abuja.

APC argues that removing its candidate’s name from the gubernatorial list due to a court order was hasty, as the judgment INEC relied upon has already been appealed. The Court of Appeal has taken note of the urgency of the case, with a definitive hearing set for October 27, in which INEC is a party.

Felix Morka, in the statement, emphasized, “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.”

He continued, “This action by INEC may not be unconnected with the High Court judgment of Oct. 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.”

Morka urged INEC to reconsider its decision, stating that it could potentially undermine the ongoing judicial process and the rights of the party’s candidate. He also called for the people of Bayelsa, especially APC members and supporters, to remain patient as the legal process unfolds and expressed confidence in their candidate’s victory at both the Court of Appeal and the polls.

The disqualification of Timipre Sylva by Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on October 9, cited Sylva’s prior terms as governor of Bayelsa as a breach of the constitution if he were allowed to contest again. The situation remains fluid as the legal battle unfolds.