From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
All Progressives Congress (APC) has frowned at the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to delist its candidate for November 11 governorship election, Timipre Sylva, describing it as clearly premature and preemptive.
The ruling party in a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, urged INEC to withdraw the amendment under reference in the interest of fairness.
APC wondered why the commission could go ahead with the decision when it has appealed the ruling of the High Court disqualifying Sylva.
“Delisting our candidate, in the circumstances, as INEC has done, is clearly premature, and preempts the outcome of the valid appeal in the matter. This flies in the face of INEC’s established practice of awaiting the decisions of appellate courts before taking action that may be prejudicial to the interest of the appellants.
“Furthermore, removing our candidate from the list of governorship contestants in Bayelsa would foist a situation of helplessness on the appellate court, the candidate and our party should the appeal succeed. We urge INEC to withdraw its amendment under reference in the interest of fairness,” the statement read.
Expressing more concerns over the decision, the ruling party noted: “The attention of the APC has been drawn to the updated list of the candidates for the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa state by the INEC, which excluded our candidate’s name, Sylva.
“This action by INEC may not be unconnected with the High Court judgement of October 9, 2023 which disqualified 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 October 27, 2023.
“INEC is a party in this matter and has been served with all relevant filings and orders in this matter,” APC noted in the statement.
The ruling party further pleaded that; “in the meantime, we appeal to the good people of Bayelsa State, especially our teeming members and supporters, to remain calm while the judicial process runs its full course. We have confidence that our candidate will be victorious both at the Court of Appeal and at the polls.”
