A recent ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja has seen the dismissal of a suit that aimed to disqualify former Petroleum Resources Minister, Timipire Sylva, from participating in the November governorship election in Bayelsa State.

Justice Inyang Ekwo delivered the verdict on Tuesday, citing the suit’s lack of merit as the basis for dismissal.

The plaintiff, Hon Isikima Johnson, had filed the suit against the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Timipire Sylva, seeking an order to prevent Sylva’s participation in the upcoming governorship election.

Johnson’s objections centered on two key arguments: that Sylva had previously held the governorship office twice and had taken oaths of office and allegiance twice, and that the April 14 primary election that nominated Sylva was allegedly conducted in violation of APC’s guidelines.

Justice Ekwo, however, ruled that the plaintiff failed to substantiate the issues raised in the suit, which would have warranted Sylva’s disqualification from the gubernatorial poll.

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The judge emphasized that the plaintiff could not prove his claim that the APC had not conducted a lawful primary election that led to Sylva’s nomination.

Justice Ekwo dismissed police reports submitted by the plaintiff, which asserted that no primary election had occurred within the APC.

The judge declared these reports as void and illegitimate, emphasizing that the police were not authorized by law to undertake the actions in favor of the plaintiff.

The court also rejected the suit due to its untimeliness, noting that it had not been filed within 14 days of the relevant events, rendering it an academic matter.

Justice Ekwo clarified that since the court was not an academic institution, it would not engage with such matters.