The Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja, has given the green light to Chief Timipreye Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State.
In a ruling on Tuesday, the appellate court held that the respondent in the appeal, Deme Kolomo, an APC member, lacked the legal standing to approach the court and seek to disqualify Sylva from the governorship race. The court specifically noted that Kolomo had not been an aspirant who participated in the APC’s governorship primary, and therefore lacked the necessary locus standi to challenge the party’s candidate’s nomination.
The Court of Appeal additionally awarded N1 million in costs in favor of Sylva.
In a separate judgment on the same issue, the court allowed a similar appeal filed by the APC and awarded N1 million in costs in favor of the party.
This ruling follows a previous judgment by Justice Donatus Okorowo of a Federal High Court in Abuja on October 9, which disqualified Sylva as the APC candidate for the election. Justice Okorowo’s judgment was based on the argument that Sylva, having been sworn in twice as governor of Bayelsa State, was ineligible to contest the 2023 race. Allowing Sylva to contest and potentially win the election would result in him taking the oath of office for the third time, which was deemed to be in violation of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
The Court of Appeal’s decision has significant implications for the upcoming governorship election in Bayelsa State, affirming Sylva’s eligibility as an APC candidate. The writing style is factual and concise, focusing on key legal proceedings and outcomes.
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