The Abuja Division of the Appeal Court has once again thwarted attempts to disqualify former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, from participating in the upcoming November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State.
The dismissal comes in response to a suit initiated by Hon. Isikima Ogbomade Johnson, who had brought Sylva, the APC, and INEC before the Federal High Court. Johnson sought an order disqualifying Sylva from the governorship race, citing two primary reasons. Firstly, she argued that Sylva, having held the governorship office twice and taken the oath of office and allegiance twice, should be disqualified. Secondly, she contended that the April 14 primary election, which produced Sylva, was illegal and against APC’s guidelines.
Despite the initial dismissal of the suit by the high court, Johnson pursued her case to the appellate court. In the recent judgment, Justice Binta Zubar declared the suit not only unjustifiable but brought in bad faith by the appellant against the respondents.
The court concurred with Sylva’s legal team, led by James Ogwu Onoja, (SAN), asserting that the allegations against Sylva, particularly taking the oath of governorship office twice, lack legal standing. The court noted that competent courts had previously invalidated the first oath, reinforcing Sylva’s eligibility.
This decision upholds Sylva’s right to contest in the governorship election, delivering a legal victory and allowing the political landscape to proceed without impediment.