Appeal Court: Sylva Eligible To Contest Bayelsa Guber Poll

The court of appeal in Abuja has reversed the disqualification of Timipre Sylva, ex-minister of petroleum, as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa state.

On October 9, the federal high court in Abuja had disqualified Sylva from contesting the November 11 election in Bayelsa state.

Delivering judgment, the presiding judge, Donatus Okorowo, held that Sylva, having been sworn in twice and ruled for five years as governor of the state, would breach the 1999 constitution if allowed to contest again.

The judge held that Sylva was not qualified to run in the forthcoming poll because if he wins and is sworn in, he would spend more than eight years in office as governor of the state.