The Bayelsa Democratic Coalition, a pro-transparent governance forum in Bayelsa State, has called upon the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to honour the decision of a Federal High Court that disqualified the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Timipre Sylva, from the upcoming governorship election in the state.
The Coalition’s Coordinator, Orama David, praised the court’s decision as a triumph for democracy and expressed optimism that the forthcoming governorship election would be conducted in a free, fair, and peaceful manner.
This positive outlook stands in stark contrast to the 2015 poll, which was marred by violence and is remembered as one of the most tumultuous in the state.
In the aftermath of the 2015 election, a civic organization, Save Ijaw Nation Group, conducted an independent investigation and compiled a 285-page report detailing the violence, including the locations, victims, perpetrators, and sponsors.
The Bayelsa State government subsequently established the Justice Margaret Akpomiemie (retd) Judicial Commission of Inquiry to further probe the violence and identify those responsible.
However, Yekini Nabena, former deputy national publicity secretary of the APC and a close associate of Sylva, dismissed the state government’s efforts as a politically motivated witch-hunt. He argued that the commission’s impartiality was compromised due to its formation under a PDP-led government.
Orama David praised the Federal High Court’s decision, asserting that it upholds the principles of justice and the constitution while significantly reducing the potential for violence and ensuring a credible governorship election.
He described the ruling as a crucial step in maintaining electoral integrity in Bayelsa State.
The disqualification of Timipre Sylva aligns with the constitution and bolsters confidence in the nation’s judicial system’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.
It also symbolises a victory for electoral integrity, removing concerns of election manipulation and ensuring that the people’s will prevails.
Source: Vanguard