Bayelsa election: Appeal court orders INEC to retain APC on ballot

The court of appeal sitting in Port Harcourt has granted a stay of execution to the ruling of a federal high court in Bayelsa nullifying the candidature of David Lyon as the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) standard-bearer in Saturday’s governorship election. 

The high court had sacked Lyon as APC candidate on the grounds that he emerged through a flawed primary election.

On Friday, the appellate court asked INEC to proceed with the exercise with the APC on the ballot, pending the determination of the case before it.

Speaking on the decision of the court, Lyon’s counsel said: “The implication is that the effect of the judgement of the Federal High court is suspended. If they later agree with the judgement, the ruling comes back.

“Wit what we got in the court of Appeal  Abuja and this one,it means that David Lyon and (his running mate) are the APC candidates  for this gubernatorial election tomorrow(Saturday).That is the implication.”

Also, the court of appeal sitting in Abuja had halted the judgement disqualifying Lyon’s running mate for allegedly filing false academic information.