The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking disqualification of former Petroleum Resources Minister, Timipire Sylva from contesting the November governorship election in Bayelsa State.
Justice Inyang Ekwo dismissed the suit instituted by one Isikima Johnson against the All Progressive Congress (APC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Slyva for lacking merit, as the plaintiff failed to establish issues raised in the suit to warrant disqualification of the governorship aspirant from the governorship poll.
The trial judge in the judgment also held that the plaintiff failed to establish the allegation that the APC did not conduct a lawful primary election that produced Sylva.
Justice Ekwo noted that from the report of INEC, it was clear beyond any doubt that a valid primary election was conducted by APC and monitored by the electoral umpire as required by law.
Justice Ekwo held that most of the documents presented by the plaintiff were done through the back doors in disregard to the well-known established procedures.
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The court also dismissed the suit on ground that it was not instituted within 14 days as required by law, as it had become an academic matter.
The plaintiff, by an originating summons, dragged APC, INEC and Sylva before the Court praying for an order to disqualify Sylva from being allowed to participate in the coming November governorship election in Bayelsa State.
Johnson predicated his grouse against Sylvia on grounds that Sylva had been elected into governorship office twice, and that the April 14 primary election that produced Sylva was illegal and unlawful having been allegedly done in contravention with APC’s guidelines.
