Court set to hear suit against Sylva running mate

Another hurdle for Bayelsa State APC Governorship candidate, Timipre Sylva as Federal High Court set to hear Suit for the disqualification of his deputy governorship candidate for violation of the 1999 Constitution.

The suit filed by THE INCORPORATED TRUSTEES OF TRUSTFIELD EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE is seeking the interpretation of the 1999 Constitution regarding the ineligibility of Sylva deputy to contest the Bayelsa Governorship election on grounds of being an ex convict.

It will be recalled that the Mr. Timipre Sylva had nominated one Mr Joshua Maciver as his deputy governorship candidate, but evidence shows that the deputy governorship candidate was convicted and sentenced to imprisonment and his name was not included in the names of those granted amnesty by the Federal government.

The 1999 Constitution forbids any person who has been convicted and served a sentence of imprisonment from being elected. The Plaintiff had instituted this action for the interpretation of the 1999 Constitution.
The outcome of this case may lead to the disqualification of Timipre Sylva because no person can contest for governorship election without nomination of a valid deputy governorship candidate.

The time for substitution or change of candidate has elapsed, which means Mr. Sylva will not be able to change his deputy governorship candidate anymore and therefore cannot stand in the Baylesa State Governorship election alone without a validly nominated running mate.

This case has created another Constitutional hurdle for the governorship ambition of Mr. Timipre Sylva.

Now that the battle has shifted to the Federal High Court, it remains to be seen how Mr. Sylva will survive the barrage of legal onslaught.