Strong indications have emerged suggesting that Chief Timpre Sylva, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and his running mate, Joshua Maciver, may face disqualification ahead of the Bayelsa State governorship election scheduled for November 11.

This potential disqualification is the result of a suit filed by the plaintiff, Incorporated Trustees of the Trustfield Empowerment Initiative, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, against the APC candidate and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)….CONTINUE READING

The plaintiff argues that Maciver, Sylva’s running mate, is currently serving a jail term for a criminal offense, making him ineligible to run for the position of Deputy Governor.

According to the plaintiff, the provisions of Sections 175(1), 182(1)(d) & (2)(c), and 187(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria clearly state that anyone convicted for a criminal offense and sentenced to imprisonment without a Presidential Pardon cannot be recognized or listed by INEC.

As MacIver falls under these provisions, the plaintiff contends that he should not be recognized as the running mate of Sylva for the 2023 Bayelsa State Governorship Election.

The plaintiff seeks an order of perpetual injunction restraining INEC from recognizing MacIver and Sylva as valid candidates with a running mate for the forthcoming election.

They argue that the recognition and listing of MacIver as the Deputy Governorship candidate for Sylva are illegal, unlawful, null, and in violation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.