Bayelsa Poll: INEC Obeys Court Order, Restores Sylva’s Name On Candidates’ List

By Akeem Oduyoye

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has re-amended its list of candidates for Bayelsa State governorship election scheduled for this coming Saturday.

The commission amended list restored the name of Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which was earlier removed following a court order.

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

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

Recall  that INEC had on Tuesday, October 24, uploaded an amended 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.

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

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