Victor EzejaThe Bayelsa State All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the November 11 governorship election, Mr Timipre Sylva, has been disqualified by the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Abuja High Court ruled that Sylva was disqualified from running in the November election because he had been sworn in twice as governor of the state and served five years.
The judge held that Sylva if allowed to contest again and he wins and is sworn in the third time, would amount to him serving as governor of the state for more than eight years, which would breach the 1999 constitution as amended.
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Justice Okorowo, who cited the case of Marwa vs Nyako at the Supreme Court, pointed out that the drafters of Nigeria’s constitution made it clear 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 added that as decided by the Supreme Court in the Marwa v. Nyako case, no one can expand the scope of the constitution, adding that, if Sylva is therefore, permitted to run in the next election, it means anyone can run as many as they would like.
Sylva, who was the Minister of State Petroleum Resources, from 2019 to 2023, had served as governor of Bayelsa State between May 2008 and January 2012.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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