The Peoples Democratic Party is attempting to disqualify the candidature of Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress, in the December 5 governorship election in Bayelsa.

Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson and the PDP have reportedly approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to stop Sylva from contesting.

The PDP’s suit is on the grounds that Sylva had been twice elected as governor and as such, he is no longer be eligible to contest another governorship election.

After winning the 2007 governorship election in the state, Sylva’s election was nullified by the Court of Appeal.

The Appeal Court ordered a rerun, which was contested and again, won by Sylva, hence the premise for the PDP’s suit.

The plaintiffs are asking the court to determine whether Sylva is qualified to contest as a candidate in the light of the provisions of Section 182 (1) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

“Section 182 (1) (b) states that no person shall be qualified for election to the office of Governor of a state if he has been elected to such office at any two previous elections.

Thus, the PDP and its candidate, Seriake Dickson are seeking the interpretation of this section of the constitution and for the court to determine whether Sylva who, having already been elected and served for a cumulative period of about four years and seven months as the governor of the state is qualified to seek re-election for a fresh term of four years.”

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/bayelsa-guber-pdp-dickson-ask-court-to-disqualify-sylva/

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