The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit aimed at disqualifying former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, from running in the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State. Sylva is the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State.
The suit, filed by Isikima Johnson, argued that Sylva was ineligible to run for governorship because he had taken the oath of allegiance as governor twice in the past. Additionally, Johnson alleged irregularities in the APC primary election held on April 14, 2023, which resulted in Sylva’s selection as the governorship candidate.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, presiding over the case, dismissed the suit on the grounds of lacking merit. The court also rejected the suit because it was not filed within the required 14 days of the subject matter occurring, rendering it academic.
Justice Ekwo stated, “In all, I find the case of the plaintiff to be weak, having not been established by the preponderance of evidence as required by law. In the same vein, the case of the plaintiff, having been demolished by overwhelming exhibits tendered by the APC and Timipre Sylva, has no legs to stand upon in the face of the law. I make an order dismissing this case, and it is hereby dismissed for lacking merit.”
With this ruling, Timipre Sylva remains eligible to contest the upcoming governorship election in Bayelsa State as the APC candidate.
