The Federal High Court in Abuja has disqualified the Bayelsa State All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate in the November 11, 2023, governorship election, Chief Timipre Sylva.
Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, ruled that Sylva has been sworn in twice and ruled for five years as governor of Bayelsa State, therefore this would breach the 1999 Constitution (as amended) if allowed to contest again.
The judge also declared that Sylva was not qualified to run in the election because if he wins and is sworn-in, he would spend more than eight years in office as governor of the state.
Making reference to the case of Marwa Vs. Nyako at the Supreme Court, Justice Okorowo noted that the drafters of the country’s constitution state that nobody should be voted for as governor more than twice and that the parties to the suit agreed that Sylva was voted into office two times.
He further stated that the Supreme Court ruled in the case of Marwa Vs. Nyako that nobody can expand the constitution or its scope, hence if Sylva is allowed to contest the next election, it means a person can contest as many times as he wishes.
The suit, with number FHC/ABJ/CS/821/2023, was filed on June 13, 2023, by a member of the APC, Deme Kolomo.
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