In a stunning flip of occasions, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed its intention to problem the disqualification of its Bayelsa governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, from the upcoming November 11 ballot. This resolution comes after Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal Excessive Courtroom, Abuja, dominated on Monday that Sylva would breach the 1999 structure if allowed to contest once more, as a consequence of his earlier phrases as Governor of Bayelsa.
Reacting to the courtroom’s resolution, Mr Perry Tukuwei, the Director of Media and Publicity for the APC Bayelsa Gubernatorial Marketing campaign Council, launched an announcement on Tuesday in Yenagoa. He acknowledged, “The social gathering has briefed its legal professionals to enchantment the judgment, and it’s assured that the Courtroom of Enchantment will overturn the judgment of the Federal Excessive Courtroom.” Tukuwei additional emphasised that the ruling appeared to have the fingerprints of the Peoples Democratic Social gathering (PDP) and its candidate, Governor Douye Diri.
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Tukuwei highlighted the authorized grounds on which the social gathering intends to problem the disqualification. He identified that in line with Sections 29 and 84 of the 2022 Electoral Act, solely people who contested the primaries of a political social gathering have the suitable to problem the qualification of the social gathering’s candidate. For the reason that go well with was filed by Chief Demesuoyefa Kolomo, who’s neither a member of the APC nor a participant within the social gathering’s governorship primaries, Tukuwei argued that he lacked the authorized standing to sue within the matter.
Moreover, Tukuwei cited Part 285 of the 1999 Nigerian structure, which stipulates that any aggrieved social gathering should file an election matter inside 14 days of the occasion. Nevertheless, the case was filed on June 13, 2023, whereas the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) had already printed the names of the governorship candidates for Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi on Could 12. In line with Tukuwei, this renders the case statute barred, because it was filed exterior the constitutional timeframe.
Expressing his disappointment with the courtroom’s resolution, Tukuwei criticized the truth that the plaintiff’s lack of authorized standing was ignored. He additionally identified that the case was filed in Abuja, opposite to a directive by the Supreme Courtroom that every one pre-election issues be heard within the state the place social gathering primaries have been held. Tukuwei questioned, “Is Abuja Bayelsa?”
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Moreover, Tukuwei raised issues about Governor Douye Diri’s alleged involvement within the disqualification. He claimed that the ruling was a part of a sinister plan by Diri to make sure victory by means of the again door, as Sylva’s recognition and acceptance throughout the state have been rising quickly. Nevertheless, Tukuwei assured the folks of Bayelsa that they shouldn’t be deterred by the PDP’s techniques, stating, “Our pricey folks of Bayelsa, concern not! This clandestine technique by the PDP mustn’t deter the resolve to elect Sylva as the following Governor of Bayelsa, we’ll win.”
The APC’s resolution to problem the courtroom’s ruling units the stage for a authorized battle that would have important implications for the Bayelsa governorship election. As each events gear up for the upcoming ballot, the result of the enchantment will undoubtedly form the political panorama in Bayelsa. Will Timipre Sylva be allowed to contest once more, or will the courtroom’s resolution stand? Solely time will inform.