Bayelsa Gov’ship: Appeal Court affirms Gov Diri, Dep Gov Ewhrudjakpo as duly elected

BY ANDREW OROLUA

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Thursday, upheld the election of Governor Douye Diri and his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Oborawharievwo Ewhrudjakpo, as duly elected Governor and Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State respectively.

In a unanimous judgement, a three member panel of the appellate court led by Justice J.G. Abundaga held that, the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal was right in dismissing All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Timipre Sylva election petition for lacking in merit.

Dissatisfied with the decision of the Tribunal, Sylva and his party had approached the Court of Appeal with an appeal seeking to set aside the judgement of the Tribunal and to declare him winner of the governorship election based on claim that results of 184 polling units were not recorded.

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Delivering the lead judgement Justice Abundaga affirmed the decision of the tribunal and awarded a cost of N500,000 in favour of each respondents to the appeal to be paid by appellants.

Justice Abundaga said it was clear from evidence adduced before the tribunal that the petitioners were unable to substantiate they claims that elections were held in 184 polling units.

There was no record or exhibit in form of voters accreditation, Bimodal Voters Registration or INEC result sheets in respect of the 184 polling units in contention that was tendered at the tribunal in support of the petitioners’ claim.

Justice Abundaga also held that the evidence of PW 14, PW15 and PW 16 including those of former Commissioner of Police that the petitioners relied on were of no value in the matter because the witnesses didn’t witness the election at the polling units in contention.

Earlier, during ruling on the objection raised by the Deputy Governor Lawrence Oborwahariewo, Justice Abundaga had dismissed the appellants appeal in its entirety for being a gross abuse of court processes.

Justice Abundaga said that court of appeal went ahead and considered the main appeal after upholding the objection because it isn’t the final court in the land.

Recall that the Tribunal, had in its judgment delivered May 17, 2024, in Abuja, upheld the election of Governor Diri and his deputy.