A revised list of candidates has been released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the upcoming Saturday governorship election in Bayelsa State.
The name of Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which had been erased earlier per a court ruling, was reinstated by the electoral umpire in the modified list.
The development was detailed in a document that was posted on INEC’s website on Monday and signed by Rose Oriaran-Anthony, the Secretary to the Commission.
Oriaran-Anthony clarified that the “Amendment No. 2” list, which re-added the names of Sylva and his ruining partner, Joshua Maciver, was released in compliance with the Court of Appeal’s ruling.
According to Platinum Times, INEC posted an amended list on its website on Tuesday, October 24, but removed Sylva and his running mate’s names per a Federal High Court judgment.
Oriaran-Anthony reminded the audience that on October 16, the final list of candidates for the 2023 Bayelsa Governorship Election was changed.
She claims that this is in accordance with the Federal High Court’s order in Suit No.-FHC/ABJ/CS/821/2023 regarding the APC candidate’s nomination.
Oriaran-Anthony added that
“The Court of Appeal, in a judgement delivered on October 31, 2023, in appeal No-CA/ABJ/CV/1060/2023 set aside the judgement of the lower court cited above”.
The decision of the Appeal Court led to the restoration of the names of the APC candidate and his running mate.