Court Rules Sylva Ineligible For The Bayelsa Governorship Election
A Federal High Court situated in Abuja has declared Timipre Sylva, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Bayelsa State Governorship Election, ineligible for the contest. This ruling came in response to a suit filed by Demesuoyefa Kolomo, a member of the APC in the state, which was identified as suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/821/2023.
Kolomo’s suit sought to ascertain whether Sylva met the qualifications for participating in the election, given his previous tenure as the governor of Bayelsa from May 29, 2007, to April 15, 2008, and then from May 27, 2008, to January 27, 2012.
In a judgment delivered on Monday night, Justice Donatus Okorowo explained that permitting Sylva to run again would contravene the provisions of the 1999 constitution. This was due to Sylva having been sworn in twice as governor of the state and having served for a total of five years in that capacity. Justice Okorowo also noted that if Sylva were allowed to participate in the election and subsequently win, he would surpass the constitution’s stipulated maximum of eight years in office.
Referencing the case of Marwa vs. Nyako at the Supreme Court, Justice Okorowo pointed out that the framers of the country’s constitution explicitly stated that no individual should be eligible for election as governor more than twice. He further emphasized that both parties involved in the suit agreed that Sylva had been elected into office on two occasions.
Justice Okorowo concluded that the Supreme Court had previously ruled in the case of Marwa vs. Nyako that no one could expand the constitution or its scope. Therefore, if Sylva were permitted to contest the upcoming election, it would set a precedent implying that an individual could run for office as many times as they desired.
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