Shock waves pervade Bayelsa state political landscape as Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a judgement delivered on Monday, disqualified Timipre Sylva, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the November 11 Bayelsa state governorship election.
Justice Okorowo ruled 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, a third time.
The judge further declared that Sylva was not qualified to run in the Bayelsa November poll because if he wins and is sworn-in, he would spend more than eight years in office as governor of the state.
Citing the case of Marwa vs Nyako at the Supreme Court, Justice Okorowo noted that the drafters of the country’s constitution stated 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 also stated that the Supreme Court ruled in the case of Marwa vs Nyako that nobody can expand the constitution or its scope. So, if Sylva is allowed to contest the next election, it means a person can contest as many times as he wishes.
The suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/821/2023 that led Sylva to be disqualified from the Bayelsa governorship election was filed on June 13, 2023 by Deme Kolomo, a member of the APC.
