The All Progressives Congress (APC) is currently not having a governorship candidate in the upcoming November 11 election in Bayelsa after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) removed Timipre Sylva’s name.
According to the amended list uploaded on the commission’s website on Tuesday, the name of Timipre Sylva’s ruining mate, Joshua Maciver was not also included for the Bayelsa election.
The list was signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony,
The commission also included the name of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) governorship candidate, Uchechukwu Ishiodu, and his running mate, Ahumbe Chiazor, on the amended list of candidates for the Imo governorship election.
Oriaran-Anthony explained that the amended list was issued in compliance with court orders in both states.
In Bayelsa, the Federal High Court, Abuja, had on October 10 disqualified Sylva from participating in the election on the grounds that he had already served two terms as governor of the state.
“By virtue of the provision of Section 287 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Commission is bound to enforce the orders of the court on the nomination of candidates by political parties in the state.
“The Amended list of candidates in respect of the 2023 Bayelsa State governorship election is hereby amended pursuant to the orders of court served on the commission,” Oriaran-Anthony said.
In Imo, the Federal High Court, Owerri judicial division, had ordered INEC to include the PRP governorship candidate on the list of nominated candidates.
Oriaran-Anthony said INEC was bound to enforce the orders of the court on the nomination of candidates by political parties.
“After the said publication, the Commission was served with an Order of Court for the inclusion of the PRP and its candidate on the list of candidates for the 2023 Imo State governorship election.
“By virtue of the provision of Section 287 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the commission is bound to enforce the orders of the court on the nomination of candidates by political parties in the State.
“The Amended list of candidates in respect of the 2023 Imo State Governorship election is hereby amended pursuant to the Orders of the Court served on the Commission,” she said.
