Tag: Sylva

The Court of Appeal in Abuja, has scheduled hearing for October 27 in the appeal filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State,  Timipre Sylva.

Sylva and APC are, by their suits, praying the Court of Appeal to set aside the October 9 judgment by Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal  High Court, Abuja , voiding Sylva’s candidacy.

It was learnt that parties in the appeal were in court on Monday to sort out processes filed, following which the substantive appeal was scheduled for hearing on October 27.

Sylva, in his three-ground notice of appeal, is contending among others that the trial court erred in law and and  occasioned a grave miscarriage of justice when it wrongly assumed jurisdiction by delving into the internal affairs of his party, which is a non-justiciable cause of action

He stated that the trial  court has a duty to understand the case presented by the parties and apply the law correctly.

In relation to ground two, Sylva  contended that the trial judge erred in law and occasioned a grave miscarriage of justice against him when he (the judge) wrongly conferred, allowed and adjudicated on the matter when the respondent (plaintiff at the trial court)  has no locus standi to initiate or institute the action, having confessed not to have participated in the primary election that produced him as the governorship candidate of the APC.

Sylva also argued that the trial court  breached his right to fair hearing as guaranteed by the Constitution when it failed to properly evaluate, determine and pronounce on his notice of preliminary objection, with which he  challenged  the competence of the suit.

Justice Okorowo, in the October 9 held among others,  that Sylva, having been sworn in twice and served for five years as governor of Bayelsa, will breach the  Constitution should he be allowed to contest again.

Read Also: PDP to Sylva: Quit governorship race in your own interest

Th  judge declared that Sylva was not qualified to contest the November election because if he wins and is four-year term in view of Section 180(2){a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and I so hold.

“On the whole the plaintiff’s case succeeds, the questions for determination are resolved in favour of the plaintiff and judgment entered in favour of the Plaintiff in the following terms:

*It is hereby declared that by virtue of Section 182(1)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) the 1st defendant is not qualified to contest the election to the office of the Governor the Bayelsa State on the platform of the 2nd defendant (APC) or on any other political party platform in the election to the office of Governor scheduled for sometime in November, 2023 or any other time for that matter.

*It is hereby declared that by virtue of Section 180(2)(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) the 1st defendant is not qualified to contest the election to the office of the Governor of Bayelsa State on the platform of the 2nd defendant or on any other political party platform in the election to the office of Governor schedule for sometime in November, 2023 or any other tire for that matter.

*An order is hereby granted directing the 3rd defendant to remove the 1st defendant’s name from the list of the contestants into the office of the Governor of Bayelsa State on the platform of the 2nd defendant or any other political party platform in the election to the office of the Governor of Bayelsa State scheduled for sometime in November, 2023 or any other time for that matter as he is not qualified to contest the said election at all.”

The governorship ambition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Timipre Sylva, received a boost on Tuesday, October 24, as the council of chiefs from Nembe and Brass local government areas of Bayelsa State endorsed and affirmed his candidacy.

The endorsement of the immediate former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources took place at a press conference held in Yenagoa by 14 councils of chiefs comprising 400 chiefs from Nembe and Brass LGAs.

The chiefs that attended the conference were from the Brass Council of Chiefs, Okoroma Council of Chiefs, Egweama Chiefs Council, Okoroba Chiefs Council, Odioma Chiefs Council, Okpoama Kingdom Chiefs Council, Opu-Nembe Chiefs Council, Nembe City Chiefs Council, Akassa Council of Chiefs, among others.

Addressing journalists after the conference of the Council of Chiefs, the chairman, of Opu-Nembe Council of Chiefs, Chief Yousuo Donald Theo-Iruo, said they met to chart a political course for the people of the two LGAs.

Theo-Iruo said their meeting was a fruitful and successful one among themselves and they had decided to make a political statement whereby they would all go back to their communities and councils to direct their people on the way to go.

He stated that in respect of the forthcoming governorship election on November 11, it had become imperative for the councils in the two LGAs of Nembe-speaking ethnic nationality to make a statement and direct their people on whom to vote for.

Theo-Iruo said: “We are about four hundred (400) chiefs of delegation basis that attended the conference and these are what we have decided to go back to our various councils to implement.

“The entire Nembe and Brass LGAs want to endorse and affirm that the chiefs councils in Nembe and Brass have decided to adopt, affirm and endorse His Excellency Timpre Marlin Sylva as the candidate for these two LGAs.

“We have made this affirmation that we will all go back to our communities where councils domicile to ensure that Timipre Sylva is elected. There is no alternative to Sylva as far as these councils are concerned. We believe that in Timipre Sylva, councils across these two local governments and the people of these areas will have a face in the governance of our state.

“In Sylva, we also strongly believe that the dividends of democracy will go round to all the nooks and crannies of Bayelsa State, not only the Nembe-speaking people.

Read Also: Bayelsa blogger files N300m suit against police over alleged unlawful detention

“We also want to reaffirm our strong belief and conviction in Timipre Sylva because having known him in his first tenure when he was the governor, we strongly believe that for now he is more experienced, more exposed, more connected and we believe that he would take us to Bayelsa of our dream where equity, fairness and justice will be the order of the day in the state.”

“We strongly believe that Sylva has the right connections, right exposure and he will be the man to beat in this forthcoming election.

“So, today, the respected chiefs of this Nembe-speaking people have decided to speak in one voice. Apart from that, we will direct, coordinate, and ensure that our people know the way to go by voting en masse for Sylva.”

Theo-Iruo added: “We stand with Timipre Sylva for the coming poll. We want to see that we are connected to the nation through him.

“We can’t exist in isolation from the national politics and the only sure bet that will give us this status as a people and as Nigerians is Timipre Sylva. This is our mission and we must work to achieve it to ensure that the people’s candidate triumphs.”

The Bayelsa State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, has vowed to make life better for the people of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area through his agenda of human capital development, infrastructure, agriculture, education and job creation.

Sylva, a former governor, made this known yesterday during his campaign tour of Kaiama, Odi, Sabagreia and Opokuma communities all in KOLGA, the local government  of Governor Douye Diri.

He stated that he was better equipped to tackle the developmental challenges confronting the people of the council.

At Kaiama, the council’s headquarters, Sylva said education, human capital development, job creation and other developmental needs would be spread evenly to all the communities across the council and that no community would be denied the dividends of democracy.

He noted that to permanently tackle the perennial flooding plaguing Kaiama town, the creeks would be dredged, adding that he would build the abandoned Boro town that was started by the administration of Chief Melford Okilo in the old Rivers State.

Read Also: Sylva tackles Diri over Bayelsa roads

He further promised to build a befitting monument for late Ijaw freedom fighter, Major Isaac Adaka Boro, to serve as tourist attractions in addition to exhuming the remains of late Boro for burial in Boro town.

Sylva said: “One thing we must do is to empower our youths and women in Bayelsa State. Our youths and women are what make Bayelsa strong. If we don’t have youths and women in Bayelsa State then, we have failed. That is why we must do everything possible to develop and empower them.

“We will develop Boro town. Since the time of Melford Okilo they have been talking about developing Boro town but this time we will truly develop Boro town and we are going to move the body of Boro to Boro town and build a befitting monument for him so that people will come here as a tourist centre to see the cradle of our icon, Isaac Adaka Boro.

“So the people of Kaiama, you know what is good for you and what is good for you is the choice of myself and my deputy, Joshua MacIver. So on the 11th of November, go out en masse and vote for myself and my deputy and I want to assure you that life in Kaiama will never be the same again.

The Bayelsa Democratic Coalition has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to respect the decision of a Federal High Court which disqualified the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timipre Sylva, from participating in next month’s governorship election .

Coordinator of the Coalition, Orama David in a  statement in Abuja hailed the decision of the court to disqualify the APC and described “it as victory for democracy.”

He said with the disqualification of Sylva, there are positive signs that the governorship election will be free, fair and peaceful, unlike the 2019 poll which was adjudged as one of the most violent in the state.

Read Also: PDP tasks INEC on BVAS, IReV for Nov 11 polls

The Federal High Court last week disqualified the APC candidate saying he would be breaching the Constitution if he wins the election and was sworn – in as governor.

The court argued that his tenure would go beyond the eight years recommended by the Constitution.

The APC candidate has, however, appealed the judgement of the Federal High Court.

In anticipation of the November 11 governorship poll in Bayelsa State, various political parties are ramping up their campaigns. The Bayelsa New Generation Leaders (BNGL), a youth group, have expressed support for Chief Timipre Sylva, the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.

The Director General, BNGL, Apostle Bodmas Prince Kemepadei, who spoke in Yenagoa, the state capital, yesterday, said Sylva remained the candidate to beat in the forthcoming election because the people of Bayelsa, particularly the youths, see him as the best man for the job.

Apparently referring to the recent Federal High Court in Abuja judgment against Sylva, the BGNL boss said it was all gimmicks by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to return to the Creek Haven (Government House) through the back door.

He expressed optimism that the judgment would soon be upturned by the Court of Appeal and the APC and its candidate that had been waxing strong would win the election by a landslide on November 11.

Bodmas stated: “Bayelsa New Generation Leaders (BGNL) believes that the court judgment that disqualified Chief Timipre Sylva has rather motivated the APC and its faithful to wax stronger and be more determined to take over the state.

Read Also: N30,000 Minimum Wage: Bayelsa teachers threaten indefinite strike

“The APC and its candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, had earlier mandated the legal team to appeal the judgement, which we believe will be set aside. We are confident of the party’s victory at the Appeal Court and up to the Supreme Court.

“While the pre-election litigations are ongoing, the APC and Chief Timipre Sylva are gathering momentum and waxing stronger to defeat the incumbent and PDP candidate, Senator Douye Diri. 

“As a matter of fact, the judgement has further exposed the PDP that it is only relying on court verdict to victory because it has no structures to win the gubernatorial poll.

“The PDP and its propagandists are busy capitalizing on court judgment because they are aware of their imminent defeat at the poll. We are fully prepared for elections and it is evident in our support base and all our campaigns.

“The massive level of acceptability in Ekeremor, Peretoru, Ndoro, Aghoro and Aleibiri and many parts of the state are a testament to the fact that the APC is well accepted in Bayelsa and will certainly carry the day.”

Bodmas said that the APC campaigns had been witnessing  massive turnouts daily and support for Sylva and Great Joshua Maclver had been unprecedented.

He urged supporters of the party, teeming youths and Bayelsans to be firm in their resolve to vote Sylva and Maclver, stressing that the duo remained the only hope for the state for now.

Bodmas added: “Sylva and the APC will be on the ballot and our support base is resolute and undeterred. 

“Therefore, party members must continue in this spirit to prove enemies of the state wrong that no matter their gimmicks,  we remain resolute in our firm resolve to cast our votes for Sylva on November 11, 2023.”

• Laments five-month salaries owed teachers in Ekeremor

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, has promised to attract more development to the state if elected.

Sylva, a former governor of the state, made the promise yesterday when his campaign train hit Ekeremor main town, Aleibiri and other communities in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state.

The former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources was given a rousing welcome in the communities visited as APC party faithful and members stormed the campaign venues from far and wide.

Sylva, while rallying support of the people of Ekeremor, one of the LGAs that command large votes in the state, took a swipe at the Douye Diri administration, alleging that the governor is clueless and confused on the direction to take the state.

Read Also: Sit-at-home has left Southeast empty, says Deputy Speaker

He opined that the incumbent governor, who is also the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was not delivering on the dividends of democracy to Bayelsans.

He, therefore, assured the people of Ekeremor of more strides in infrastructural development such as electrification of the LGA, provision of potable water and payment of salaries owed teachers.

Sylva stated: “I understand that five months’ salaries are being owed primary school teachers. That will be paid within 100 days of my government.

“I also understand that some people have been unjustly removed from their jobs. This is unacceptable. My government will surely bring them back.

“We must change the sitting government. Workers’ salaries are not adequate; they cannot live well within their incomes, yet they are still being owed. We must seek means for our people to live well. I am telling the youths here that if you know what is good for you, you must vote for us.”

He lamented the current conditions of youths in the state, promising that when elected on November 11, 2023, he would prioritise youths empowerment and education.

Sylva noted: “I have made a promise and my promise is a bond. I said I would create women millionaires in Ekeremor and by the time I am leaving we will come back here to celebrate.”

• APC candidate intensifies campaign

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, has faulted his disqualification by an Abuja High Court. He said  the judgment cannot stand because it is against natural justice.

He said the court matter is an indication that some persons are afraid of his rising profile and candidature .

But, some stakeholders in his party have said that it is wrong for the party’s candidate to appoint himself as the Director General of his governorship campaign.

Sylva, who was reacting to the court judgment , urged the people not to be dismayed with the ruling but to be prepared to come out en masse to cast their votes for the APC.

He spoke yesterday while campaigning in Agoro in Ekeremor Local Government Area.

Sylva said: “Some people are afraid of the election; they are panicking. So, they went and procured some jankara judgment.

“We want to assure you that that judgment will not stand because it is against natural justice. So, just carry on, no worries at all, just come out and vote for us and I assure you that the lives of the people of this community will never be the same again.

“I know the problem of non-recognition of the traditional ruler of Agoro. That is a problem I almost resolved before I left office. This time, I am coming back to resolve it permanently.

“The combination of myself and Joshua Maciver is what is good for you, so on November 11, make sure that you vote for me and the APC.”

Sylva, who also took his campaign train to Peretorugbene, Ndoro and other riverine communities in Ekeremor Local Government Area promised to tackle the perennial flooding and erosion faced by the state, saying he had the solution to floods and erosion.

Reacting to the constitution and inauguration of the campaign council, some stakeholders and chieftains of the party under the auspices of Bayelsa APC Integrity Group, said the development had vindicated the group who had accused Sylva of running a one-man show in the party.

Read Also: Court judgement won’t affect our chances in Bayelsa poll – Sylva

The group’s reaction  is contained in a statement  by its Coordinator Chief Ebipadeowei Oyinkuro.

Oyinkuro recalled that only a few years ago, APC was not only in the heart and mouth of the people of Bayelsa State but was also at the commanding height of goodwill, regretting that weeks to the governorship election, all that had evaporated.

He said: “The party not only appears to be going into battle with its flanks wide open, but it is deep in tatters and also showing signs that it requires oxygen.

His cousin, Chief Dennis Otiotio, who is the  Chairman of the party is Alternate-Chairman while the running mate, Joshua Maciver is the co-chairman. The majority of the rest of the campaign council are from Sylva’s circle.”

Another close ally of the former Minister of State for Petroleum, who chose to speak on condition of anonymity, decried the extent most APC leaders  are willing to go.  Some have gone to ensure that the opposition PDP emerges victorious at the polls, he said.