The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has re-amended its list of candidates for the Bayelsa governorship election, reinstating the names of Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his running mate, Joshua Maciver, which the commission initially removed.
News About Nigeria gathered that the new amendment, labelled ‘Amendment No 2: Amended list of candidates for the 2023 Bayelsa state governorship election pursuant to court orders’, was published on the INEC website and signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony.
According to Oriaran-Anthony, the release of the updated list complied with the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which overturned a previous order of the Federal High Court.
“By virtue of the provisions of Section 287 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the commission is bound to enforce the Orders of Court on nomination of candidates by political parties in the State.
“The list of candidates in respect of the 2023 Bayelsa State Governorship election is hereby amended in Amendment No 2 pursuant to the judgement of the Court of Appeal,” Oriaran-Anthony said.
The Court of Appeal ruled on October 31, 2023, in favour of Sylva, setting aside the earlier judgment that disqualified him as the APC candidate for the Bayelsa governorship election.
INEC had previously amended its list following the Federal High Court’s order, which disqualified Sylva based on his previous tenure as governor of Bayelsa.
However, the Court of Appeal’s decision led to the restoration of Sylva’s name and the subsequent amendment.
The final list of candidates for the 2023 Bayelsa Governorship Election now includes Sylva and a total of 16 candidates.
The election is scheduled for November 11, 2023.
