Just hours after the Federal High Court in Abuja disqualified him from contesting the upcoming gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State on November 11, the APC candidate, Timipre Sylva, has taken legal action by filing an appeal with the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, requesting the annulment of the judgment.
In addition to the notice of appeal, Sylva, represented by his counsel, Ahmed Raji (SAN), has also requested a stay of execution of the High Court's decision. Raji emphasised that the High Court's judgment contradicts established legal principles and notable precedents.
The appeal revolves around three critical issues: jurisdiction, locus standi (the legal right to bring an action), and the alleged erroneous assessment of affidavit evidence.
Earlier, during a visit to the Presidential Villa, the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, confirmed the party's intent to challenge the judgment through an appeal.
The Federal High Court's Justice Donatus Okorowo ruled against the APC candidate's eligibility based on his previous two terms in office and five years of governance as the Governor of Bayelsa State. The court argued that his participation in another gubernatorial election would violate the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
A hearing date for the appeal is yet to be determined.
