The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has once again amended its list of candidates for the forthcoming Bayelsa State governorship election, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday. In this latest update, the electoral body has restored the name of Timipre Sylva, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which had previously been removed due to a court order.
This significant development was officially announced in a document signed by Rose Oriaran-Anthony, the Secretary to the Commission, and subsequently published on INEC’s official website on Monday.
Oriaran-Anthony clarified that the amended list, referred to as “Amendment No 2,” includes the re-addition of the names of Timipre Sylva and his running mate, Joshua Maciver. This action was taken in strict compliance with a judgment issued by the Court of Appeal.
It’s worth noting that INEC had previously, on Tuesday, October 24, uploaded an amended list on its website, omitting the names of Timipre Sylva and his running mate in accordance with a Federal High Court order.
Oriaran-Anthony also recalled that the final list of candidates for the 2023 Bayelsa Governorship Election was initially amended on October 16, following a directive from the Federal High Court related to the nomination of the APC candidate.
However, she pointed out that “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.” This decisive ruling by the Court of Appeal resulted in the reinstatement of the APC candidate’s name, as well as that of his running mate, for the upcoming Bayelsa State governorship election.
