A’court dismisses suit seeking Sylva’s disqualification from Bayelsa guber

The court of appeal in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking the exclusion of Timipre Sylva, ex-minister of petroleum, from participating in the November 11 off-cycle election in Bayelsa state.

Sylva is contesting the Bayelsa governorship election on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform.

Isikima Johnson, the appellant, in the appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/1052/2023, was seeking Sylva’s exclusion from the poll on the ground that the primary election that produced him as Bayelsa APC  candidate was allegedly done in contravention of provisions of the law.

Delivering judgement, Binta Zubair, the presiding judge, dismissed the allegation that the April 14 primary election which produced Sylva as flagbearer of the APC was done in contravention of provisions of the law, adding that the appeal has no foundation.

“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,” NAN quoted Zubair as saying.

The judge also held that the appellant’s case was instituted outside the 14 days allowed by law as a pre-election matter.