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Bayelsa Guber: Court Dismisses Suit Seeking Sylva’s Disqualification
Bayelsa Guber: Court Dismisses Suit Seeking Sylva’s Disqualification
The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit aimed at disqualifying former Petroleum Resources Minister, Timipire Sylva, from participating in the November governorship election in Bayelsa State.
Justice Inyang Ekwo delivered the verdict on Tuesday, citing the suit as lacking in merit.
The plaintiff, Hon Isikima Johnson, had filed an originating summons against the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Timipire Sylva, seeking an order to disqualify Sylva from the Bayelsa governorship election slated for November.
Johnson’s grounds for seeking Sylva’s disqualification were twofold: first, that Sylva had previously held the governorship office twice and taken the oath of office and allegiance twice, and second, that the April 14 primary election that led to Sylva’s candidacy was allegedly conducted in violation of APC’s guidelines.
However, Justice Ekwo ruled that the plaintiff had not provided sufficient evidence to support his claims and, therefore, did not warrant Sylva’s disqualification from the gubernatorial race.
The judge held that the plaintiff had failed to establish the allegation that APC had not conducted a lawful primary election leading to Sylva’s candidacy. He pointed out that INEC’s independent report clearly indicated that a valid primary election had taken place, as required by law.
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The court also rejected the police reports submitted by the plaintiff, which claimed that no primary election had occurred within the APC. Justice Ekwo dismissed these reports as “worthless” and “products of illegality,” stating that the police were not authorized by law to engage in such activities in favour of the plaintiff.
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The judge noted that the reports lacked the official police letterhead and were therefore questionable.
Furthermore, the court rejected the suit on the grounds that it was not filed within 14 days of the alleged wrongdoing, rendering it an academic matter.
Justice Ekwo emphasized that the court does not deal with academic matters and, therefore, declined to entertain the case.
In summary, the Federal High Court’s ruling reaffirms Timipire Sylva’s eligibility to participate in the upcoming Bayelsa State governorship election, dismissing the suit as lacking merit and unsupported by sufficient evidence.
