Politics

Bayelsa Poll: INEC Excludes Sylva’s Name From Candidates List, APC Kicks

Published

2 years ago

October 26, 2023

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has excluded the name of the candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Timipre Sylva, from the final list of candidates for the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State.

The amended list, which was uploaded on the commission’s website on Tuesday, was signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

Sighted by Vanguard yesterday, the column for the names of the APC candidate and his running mate, Joshua Maciver, was left blank with “court order” remarks on it.

According to Oriaran-Anthony, the action of the commission is in obedience to court orders on the lists, served on the commission.

Recalling that the commission published the final list of candidates for the 2023 Bayelsa State governorship election on June 9, in accordance with the provision of Section 32 of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Election, she said after the publication, INEC was served with an order of court in respect of the nomination of candidate of the APC for the poll.

“By virtue of the provision of Section 287 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the commission is bound to enforce the orders of the court on the nomination of candidates by political parties in the state.

“The Amended list of candidates in respect of the 2023 Bayelsa State governorship election is hereby amended pursuant to the orders of court served on the commission,’’ Oriaran-Anthony said.

On October 10, the Federal High Court in Abuja disqualified Sylva from participating in the state governorship election.

Meanwhile, The APC has said delisting its candidate, Sylva from the list of governorship election by the INEC was premature.

Mr Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary said this in a statement in Abuja.

“This action by INEC may not be unconnected with the High Court judgement of Oct. 9 which disqualified Chief Timipre Sylva as candidate of our party.

“Our candidate and party promptly appealed that judgment and brought other processes seeking stay of the judgment’s execution.

“Recognising the extreme urgency of the matter, the Court of Appeal granted an order of accelerated hearing of the matter now fixed for definite hearing on Friday Oct. 27,” Morka said.

He added that INEC was a party in the matter and had been served with all relevant filings and orders regarding the matter.

He said that delisting APC’s candidate in the circumstances as INEC had done, was clearly premature and could preempt the outcome of the valid appeal in the matter.

He said that removing the party’s candidate from the list of governorship contestants in Bayelsa would foist a situation of helplessness on the appellate court, the candidate and the party should the appeal succeed.

Morka urged INEC to withdraw its amendment under reference in the interest of fairness.

He appealed to the people of Bayelsa, especially APC’s teeming members and supporters, to remain calm while the judicial process runs its full course.

He expressed confidence that the party’s candidate would be victorious both at the Court of Appeal and at the poll.

Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a judgement delivered on Oct. 9, disqualified Sylva from featuring in the Nov. 11 governorship election.

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 again.
VANGUARD

Related Topics:APC Bayelsa Guber Sylva Timipre Sylva

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Politics

2027: Jonathan, Obi Hold Closed-door Meeting

Published

19 hours ago

September 12, 2025

Editor

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, on Thursday, held a closed-door meeting with former President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja.

Obi, who disclosed the visit in a post on his official X handle on Thursday, described Jonathan as his ”elder brother, a statesman, and leader,” adding that they had a fruitful meeting and discussed the state of the nation.

“Today in Abuja, I met with my very dear elder brother, statesman, and leader, former President Goodluck Jonathan. We had a fruitful closed-door meeting and discussed the state of our dear nation,” Obi wrote.

Although details of the meeting were not made public, the development comes amid ongoing conversations about Nigeria’s political direction and the state of governance under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Jonathan, who led Nigeria between 2010 and 2015, has in recent years positioned himself as a mediator in national and continental issues, particularly in conflict resolution and democratic strengthening efforts across Africa.

Obi, on his part, has continued to engage stakeholders following his strong showing in the 2023 elections, where he came third behind Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The meeting is the latest in Obi’s series of consultations with key political figures as discussions around Nigeria’s future political realignments intensify.

Attempts to obtain clarification from Obi’s former campaign spokesman, Dr Yunusa Tanko, and leaders of the Obidient Movement were unsuccessful as calls and messages went unanswered.

Thursday’s meeting is the latest in Obi’s string of high-level engagements, signalling what observers believe could be the early stirrings of a new political coalition.

Speculations became rife of Jonathan’s possible return after the Peoples Democratic Party zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South.

There have also been reports that the PDP had been wooing Obi to return to the party, as he is seen as major force capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Politics

INEC Shortlists 14 Associations For Political Party Registration

Published

1 day ago

September 11, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that 14 political associations have met the initial requirements to proceed to the next stage of registration as political parties in Nigeria.

This decision followed the Commission’s regular meeting held on Thursday, where it also reviewed preparations for upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and the end-of-tenure Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory.

In a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, INEC revealed that it received 171 applications from associations seeking registration.

“Each request was assessed on the basis of its prima facie compliance with the provisions of Section 222 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Section 79 (1, 2 and 4) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Clause 2 (i and ii) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022,” the commission stated.

Out of the total applications, only 14 associations satisfied the preliminary legal and procedural criteria to advance, while 157 did not meet the threshold.

“Out of the total number of applications received, 14 associations have met the requirements to proceed to the next stage, while 157 have not.

“The commission shall officially communicate the decision arising from today’s meeting to all the associations in the next 24 hours,” the statement noted.

Olumekun noted that their interim chairmen and secretaries will be invited to a briefing scheduled for Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 11:00 am at INEC Headquarters in Abuja.

“The interim Chairmen and Secretaries of the pre-qualified associations are invited to a briefing on Wednesday, 17th September 2025 at 11 am at the commission’s Headquarters in Abuja,” he stated.

INEC emphasised that meeting these initial criteria does not equate to full registration.

The final decision on the registrability of each association will be made after this verification phase to ensure full compliance with the legal framework.

“In addition to uploading the required information to the portal, the commission will physically verify all claims by each association in line with our Regulations and Guidelines.

“The final determination of the registrability of the associations as political parties will be made after the physical verification of all their claims to determine compliance with the legal framework,” the statement said.

“We wish to reiterate that party registration is a continuous process under the law. The commission remains open to the consideration of applications that meet the criteria as provided by law,” Olumekun added.

Fourteen associations are now cleared for the next phase, including the African Transformation Party, chaired by Ikhane Stanley, with Secretary Emmanuel Shaibu; The All Democratic Alliance is led by Chief Akin A. Ricketts and Secretary Abdullahi Musa Elayo; Mohammed Kabir and Secretary Chibuike Onyendilefu represent the Advance Nigeria Congress; while the Abundance Social Party is represented by Comrade Frank Oruwa and Secretary Sikiru Oripelaye.

The African Alliance Party is headed by Olusegun Peters with Secretary Haruna Abubakar; the Citizens Democratic Alliance is led by Engr. Muazu Magaji and Secretary Tamunotonye Inioribo; Barr. Fortune Oghenegare Aghwaretoma and Secretary Munirat Adama lead the Democratic Leadership Alliance; The Grassroots Initiative Party is represented by Nze Kanayo Chukwumezie and Secretary Mohammed Abas Kuti; while the Green Future Party has Dr. Adebayo Adefolaseye and Secretary Peace Daful as its interim leaders.

The Liberation People’s Party is chaired by Hon. Alani Akinde with Secretary Douglas Aji; Hon. Ada Okwori and Secretary Asuquo Edet Alexander are at the helm of the National Democratic Party; The National Reform Party is led by Abdulkadir Mohammed and Secretary Destiny Ormonigho Odugo; Also shortlisted are the Patriotic Peoples Alliance represented by Hon. John Ughulu and Secretary Jackie Wayas; and the Peoples Freedom Party chaired by Engr. Agbanifo Francis Akhigbe with Secretary Akintola Michael Alao.

Politics

BREAKING: INEC Recognises David Mark-led ADC Leadership

Published

3 days ago

September 10, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday officially recognised the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress.

This development followed a period of internal restructuring within the party, which culminated in the emergence of new national officers aimed at repositioning the ADC ahead of future electoral contests.

Alongside Mark, other principal officers now officially acknowledged by INEC include Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Mani as National Treasurer, Akibu Dalhatu as National Financial Secretary, and Professor Oserheimen Aigberaodion Osunbor as National Legal Adviser.

With this formal endorsement, the ADC leadership is expected to commence a nationwide reconciliation and mobilisation effort, as the party seeks to strengthen its presence across the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Details later….