The Abuja Court of Appeal has given clearance for Timipre Sylva, the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, to participate in the upcoming governorship election in Bayelsa State. The court dismissed all legal challenges, including those alleging the improper conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election.
Justice Binta Zubar deemed the suits unjustifiable and brought in bad faith, affirming that the evidence presented by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and APC demonstrated the legitimacy of the primary election process.
The court also rejected claims that Sylva had taken the oath of governorship office twice, emphasizing that competent courts had already invalidated the first oath.
“From the uncontroverted independent report of INEC, it was clear beyond any doubt that a valid primary election was conducted by APC and monitored by the electoral umpire as required by law,
Justice Zubar also ruled that the appellant’s case was time-barred, filed outside the 14-day window allowed by law for pre-election matters. In summary, the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja, delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo on September 26, which dismissed the suit for lacking merit and substance.
The appellant, Johnson, had sought to disqualify APC, INEC, and Sylva from the upcoming November governorship election in Bayelsa State, basing her argument on Sylva’s alleged dual election into the governorship office and the purported illegality of the April 14 primary election, which the High Court and Court of Appeal both rejected.
………….
Note : To submit Press Releases, Statements, and Advert Inquiries for publication on Waffi blog (website) or Television 📺, please use the following contact details: You can send an email to info@waffitv.com or reach us via Whatsapp at 07068286500
