Bayelsa Guber: Delisting Sylva by INEC Hasty – APC

By Nelson Utip

The  All Progressives Congress (APC)in a reaction to the delisting of their gubernatorial candidate in the November election  Timipreye Sylva says it’s hasty and premature on the part of the umpire,  Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as they had filled an appeal of stay of action.

In a statement by the party Spokesman in the state Mr. Felix Morka the party frowned at the action of INEC “The attention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been drawn to the updated list of gubernatorial candidates for the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which excluded the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate’s name, Chief Timipre Sylva”, Morka said.

Although he observed that The Umpire acted according to the judgment of The High Court. “this action by INEC may not be unconnected with the High Court judgement of October 9, 2023, which disqualified Chief Timipre Sylva as Candidate of our Party” he said but posits that INEC should have waited for the outcome of their appeal calling for stay of execution.

His words , “Recognizing the extreme urgency of the matter, the Court of Appeal granted an order of accelerated hearing of the matter now fixed for definite hearing on Friday, October 27, 2023. INEC is a party in this matter and has been served with all relevant filings and orders in this matter.

“Delisting our Candidate, in the circumstances, as INEC has done, is clearly premature, and preempts the outcome of the valid appeal in the matter. This flies in the face of INEC’s established practice of awaiting the decisions of appellate courts before taking action that may be prejudicial to the interest of the appellants.

“Furthermore, removing our candidate from the list of governorship contestants in Bayelsa would foist a situation of helplessness on the appellate court, the Candidate and our Party should the appeal succeed. We urge INEC to withdraw its amendment under reference in the interest of fairness.

“In the meantime, we appeal to the good people of Bayelsa State, especially our teeming members and supporters, to remain calm while the judicial process runs its full course. We have confidence that our candidate will be victorious both at the Court of Appeal and at the polls”.