The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Barrister Felix Morka, has criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for removing the name of its candidate, Timipre Sylva, from the list of contestants for the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State.
Morka, in a statement issued on Wednesday night, said that INEC’s decision was premature and prejudicial, as it did not wait for the outcome of the appeal filed by Sylva against a court order that barred him from running for a third term as governor.
The court order, delivered by Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, held that Sylva had already exhausted his constitutional limit of two terms and five years as governor of Bayelsa State, having been sworn in twice in 2007 and 2008.
Morka argued that the court’s decision was incorrect and unconstitutional because the Court of Appeal invalidated Sylva’s election in 2008, shortening his first term. He said that Sylva was entitled to seek re-election in 2011 and 2015 and that his current bid for governorship was valid and lawful.
He urged INEC to respect the principle of fair hearing and the rule of law and to restore Sylva’s name on the ballot pending the determination of his appeal. He also appealed to APC supporters and Bayelsans to remain calm and peaceful and to prepare for a free and fair election.