According to checks, there are five possible reasons why Timipre Sylva, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Bayelsa governorship election was delisted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The column for the names of Sylva and his ruining mate, Joshua Maciver was left blank with “court order” remarks.
Below were five possible reasons why the Bayelsa State APC governorship candidate’s name was delisted from the list of candidates.
- Double Term Limit: Timipre Sylva had previously served as the governor of Bayelsa State for two terms, which led to a constitutional restriction. As amended in 1999, the Nigerian constitution prohibits individuals from serving more than two terms in the same office, aiming to prevent long-term incumbency.
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Violation of Constitutional Term Limits: The Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that Timipre Sylva’s candidacy would breach the constitution’s term limit restrictions. Allowing him to contest again and potentially serve a third term would violate the constitutional provisions designed to ensure fresh leadership and prevent undue consolidation of power.
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Exceeding the Eight-Year Limit: In his previous terms as governor, Sylva ruled for a cumulative period that would exceed the eight-year limit set for governors. This, according to the court’s ruling, further confirmed his ineligibility to run for a third term.
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Upholding the Rule of Law: INEC, as the electoral regulatory body, has a legal obligation to uphold court orders. The court’s disqualification of Timipre Sylva from the election was a clear directive, and INEC’s action in leaving the APC candidate’s slot empty with “court order” remarks demonstrated its commitment to the rule of law.
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Compliance with Court Orders: As per respective suits, the Federal High Court in Abuja and the Federal High Court in Owerri ordered INEC to take specific actions regarding Timipre Sylva’s candidacy and including the PRP governorship candidate in Imo State.
INEC’s amendments to the candidates’ lists were in direct response to these court orders, reflecting its commitment to the legal process and judicial decisions.
