There is confusion in the camp of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released…
There is confusion in the camp of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released an amended list of governorship candidates in the state ahead of the November 11 election, excluding the party’s candidate, Timipre Sylva and his running mate, Joshua Maciver.
The situation has thrown the supporters of the APC into confusion as they pray the 2019 situation that stopped the party from governing the state after winning that year’s governorship election should not reoccur.
According to the amended list uploaded on the commission’s website on Tuesday, Sylva and his running mate were excluded due to the October 10 Federal High Court judgement, which disqualified him from participating in the state governorship election.
The list signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, had the column for the names of the APC candidate and his running mate left blank with an inscription “Court order.”
Justice Donatus Okorowo, in the judgement that disqualified Sylva a few weeks ago, ruled that having been sworn in twice and ruled for five years as governor of Bayelsa State, Sylva would breach the 1999 constitution as amended if allowed to contest again.
The judge also declared that Sylva was not qualified to run for the November poll because if he won and was sworn in, he would spend more than eight years in office as governor of the state.
But the APC Gubernatorial Campaign Council, while reacting to the exclusion of its candidate’s name, urged party supporters not to be deterred as the party is hopeful for victory.
The Director of Media and Publicity of the campaign council, Mr Perry Tukuwei, in a statement on Wednesday, said the party’s lawyers are already on top of the situation to get victory at the Appeal Court.
He said, “The Bayelsa State gubernatorial campaign council hereby urge our dear Bayelsans not to be deterred by recent happenings in the polity as we match towards the victory post at the November 11 governorship election.
“We are clearly miles ahead with a well thought out ‘Renewed Hope’ for Bayelsa agenda as well as resounding successes recorded in campaign activities across communities culminating in the decision by people of the state to look the way of Chief Timipre Sylva and Joshua Maciver as the next governor and deputy governor respectively.
“Our dear Bayelsans, do not fear. Do not be discouraged. We are on course with no distractions. Our lawyers are very well on top of the situation as we expect victory at the Court of Appeal. We will win.” (Daily Trust)
