The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Friday, gave an update on the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timipre Sylva, contesting in the November 11, 2023 governorship election.
The electoral body speaking on the controversy around his candidacy, said it is awaiting a final court decision to know the candidate of the APC in the election.
A court recently ruled that Sylva can not be the party’s candidate for the November 11 election.
Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, gave the verdict in a judgement delivered on the 10th of October, 2023 in the suit filed on June 13, 2023, by a member of the APC, Deme Kolomo against Sylva’s candidacy.
The Judge explained that Sylva, having been sworn in twice and ruled for five years as governor of Bayelsa would breach the 1999 constitution as amended if allowed to contest again.
INEC Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, speaking on Channels TV said the court’s decision precedes the final say of INEC.
He said, “What I am saying is that, when the final decision on that particular matter is taken, the Commission will come out to say, ‘This is exactly what the situation is’. But please, let’s take it easy, and let’s wait till the commission takes that decision.”
When asked whether the APC in Bayelsa State currently has a candidate, Rotimi maintained that the commission must wait because of the ongoing ‘legal’ proceedings.
He added, “This is the situation; when there are legal cases, you have to wait until the end of the legal issues.
“Because things can happen within a few days or a few weeks. If you have something today and the person is appealing to a higher court, you have to wait until the higher court takes a decision.”
Rotimi also noted that the candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Imo State is also awaiting confirmation from a court order.
He said, “If it is on our website – what I am saying is that we have a period for publishing the list of candidates.
“When a court order comes and says we should drop a particular name and accept another, we do so. And then in the remarks column, we now say ‘by court order.”
Rotimi, however, said that he is not aware of any substitution or whether INEC has taken a decision about the candidates.
