In a recent development that underscores the evolving landscape of Nigeria’s political stage, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken the decisive step of releasing amended lists of candidates for the forthcoming governorship elections in Bayelsa and Imo States.
As reported on Tuesday, these amendments have brought significant changes to the field of contenders.
In the Bayelsa State election, the names of Timipre Sylva and his running mate, Joshua Maciver, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), were conspicuously absent from the list. The commission’s website now displays their absence with a notation citing a “court order.”
The amended list was officially signed by Rose Oriaran-Anthony, the Secretary to the Commission.
This development comes after the commission initially published the final list of candidates for the 2023 Bayelsa State Governorship Election on June 9, aligning with the stipulations of Section 32 of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the designated timetable and schedule of activities for the election.
However, the situation took a turn when the commission was served with a court order regarding the APC’s candidate nomination for the Bayelsa State governorship election.
This prompted the commission to take action in accordance with the mandates of Section 287 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended. As a result, the amended list of candidates has been altered to comply with the court’s directive.
A similar course of events unfolded for the Imo State governorship election. The commission, after releasing the final list of candidates in line with the Electoral Act’s provisions and the election schedule, found itself served with a court order pertaining to the inclusion of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and its candidate, Uchechukwu Ishiodu, and running mate Ahumbe Chiazor, in the list of candidates for the 2023 Imo State governorship election.
This was again addressed by invoking Section 287 of the Constitution, leading to the amendment of the list to adhere to the court’s orders.
It is important to note that the Federal High Court, Abuja, played a significant role in this development. On October 10, the court disqualified Timipre Sylva from participating in the Bayelsa State governorship election. Justice Donatus Okorowo, in his ruling, held that Sylva’s previous terms as governor, spanning five years and two swearing-in ceremonies, would violate the amended 1999 constitution if he were allowed to contest again.
The judgment also emphasised that Sylva’s election would lead to him serving more than eight years in office as the state’s governor.
The Federal High Court, Owerri judicial division, in a separate case, further ordered INEC to include the PRP governorship candidate’s name in the list of nominated candidates already published on the INEC website.
These amendments serve as a reminder of the critical role that the judiciary plays in the Nigerian electoral process and the continuous evolution of the nation’s political landscape.
As the governorship elections in Bayelsa and Imo States approach, the amended candidate lists will likely generate heightened interest and analysis within the political sphere.
(Edited by Oludare Mayowa; omayowa@globalfinancialdigest.com; Newsroom: +234 8033 964 138)
