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Just In: INEC Awaits Final Court Decision On APC Candidate Timipre Sylva For 2023 Governorship Election
Just In: INEC Awaits Final Court Decision On APC Candidate Timipre Sylva For 2023 Governorship Election....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
On Friday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) issued an update regarding the candidacy of Timipre Sylva, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the forthcoming November 11, 2023 governorship election. INEC revealed that it is currently awaiting a conclusive court decision to determine the APC’s official candidate for the election.
The controversy surrounding Sylva’s candidacy stemmed from a recent court ruling that disqualified him as the party’s candidate for the November 11 election. The verdict was delivered by Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on October 10, 2023, in response to a suit filed on June 13, 2023, by a member of the APC, Deme Kolomo, challenging Sylva’s eligibility. The judge ruled that Sylva’s potential candidacy would breach the 1999 constitution, as amended, given his prior two terms and five-year tenure as the governor of Bayelsa.
Speaking on Channels TV, INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, emphasized that the court’s decision takes precedence over INEC’s final position. He stated, “What I am saying is that, when the final decision on that particular matter is taken, the Commission will come out to say, ‘This is exactly what the situation is.’ But please, let’s take it easy, and let’s wait until the commission takes that decision.”
When asked whether the APC in Bayelsa State currently has a recognized candidate, Rotimi clarified that INEC must await the outcome of ongoing legal proceedings. He added, “This is the situation; when there are legal cases, you have to wait until the end of the legal issues. Because things can happen within a few days or a few weeks. If you have something today and the person is appealing to a higher court, you have to wait until the higher court takes a decision.”
Rotimi also pointed out that the Labour Party’s candidate in Imo State is also awaiting confirmation based on a court order. He explained, “If it is on our website – what I am saying is that we have a period for publishing the list of candidates. When a court order comes and says we should drop a particular name and accept another, we do so. And then in the remarks column, we now say ‘by court order.'”
However, he mentioned that he is not currently aware of any candidate substitutions or whether INEC has made a final determination regarding the candidates.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has revealed that his push for an opposition coalition was initially rejected by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made the disclosure during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, where he reflected on events following the PDP’s defeat in the 2023 presidential election. According to him, he warned party leaders after the election that the PDP could struggle politically without forming alliances with other opposition forces. “To be honest, I was one of the major initiators of this coalition. After the PDP lost the last election, I told the party clearly that I did not see a future for the PDP without a coalition,” he said. Atiku said his advice was rejected at the time, despite his conviction that Nigeria’s political history had shown the importance of alliances. “They disagreed with me then. I have studied Nigeria’s political transition over the years and saw how previous alliances worked, so it was not difficult for me to foresee this,” he stated. The former vice president added that his support for coalition politics was also influenced by his desire to encourage the emergence of younger leaders he believes are vital to Nigeria’s future. “I saw some of these younger politicians as the future leaders of this country, and I felt it was my duty to point that out,” he said. However, Atiku claimed the resistance he encountered within the party was driven more by personal feelings than by disagreement over the substance of his proposal. “They disagreed with me simply because they did not want to see my face, not because of what I was suggesting,” he said. Atiku added that recent political developments have now vindicated his position on the need for a broad opposition alliance ahead of future elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will first pursue a consensus arrangement before considering a primary election for its 2027 presidential ticket.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made this known during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday while discussing the party’s leadership and strategy ahead of the next general election.
He said he is open to backing a consensus candidate if that becomes the party’s collective decision, stressing that such support should not be interpreted as stepping aside.
“It is not about stepping aside, but whether I am willing to support, and yes, I will,” Atiku said.
According to him, the ADC’s first priority is to build internal unity and reach an agreement among stakeholders before considering a competitive primary process.
“Our first option will be to work out a consensus. If that doesn’t happen, then of course we will explore other options. And yes, I will support whoever eventually emerges,” he stated.
Atiku also expressed confidence in the political experience within the party, saying he believes a consensus is achievable and may make a full-scale primary contest unnecessary.
“That remains our preferred path. We will go for primaries if consensus fails, but I honestly do not expect it to get to that stage because we are dealing with mature and experienced politicians,” he added.
His comments come amid growing political consultations and coalition talks as parties begin to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has significantly strengthened his chances of winning the 2027 presidential election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Wednesday. Speaking on what makes his latest presidential bid different from previous attempts, Atiku said the ADC coalition brings together key political figures from across major parties, including the APC, PDP and Labour Party. He described the alliance as a broader and more strategic political arrangement ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to him, the coalition has created a stronger platform that improves his prospects. “Now, we have a broader coalition — a combination of APC, PDP and LP — which gives me a better chance of becoming president in 2027,” he said. Atiku also noted that the coalition reflects both experience and generational inclusion, which he said shows a clear succession plan. “You see people of my generation, and you see younger people coming behind us, so you can clearly see a succession pattern,” he added. Meanwhile, Atiku described former President Goodluck Jonathan as a decent but inexperienced leader. According to him, Jonathan’s lack of experience contributed to shortcomings in governance and played a role in his defeat in the 2015 presidential election. “I know Goodluck Jonathan very well. He is a decent young man, but he was also inexperienced, and that contributed to his failure in managing the affairs of the country,” Atiku said. He made the remarks while stressing the need for experienced and capable leadership in Nigeria.
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