The Independent National Electoral Commission says it may respond to some of the issues raised by the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal when it is availed of the full judgment of the case.
Mr Okoye, however, noted that the Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party nomination for the election was invalid while the party did not exercise its right guaranteed in the Fourth Alteration to the constitution by filing its suit within 14 days of the accrual of the said right. “As at the time of the submission of the name of the said candidate, he was 34 years-old, contrary to Section 177 of the constitution that makes it mandatory for a candidate for such office to attain the age of 35 years to be eligible to contest the election.
“The commission also informed them of the invalidity of their nomination for the November 16, 2019 governorship election in Bayelsa State,” he said. “The commission also informed the party that since they did not submit a valid nomination, they couldn’t validly substitute any candidate.