S’Court reserves judgments on Bayelsa, Kogi polls

The Supreme Court, on Monday, reserved judgment on the appeal challenging the re-election of Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri.

The apex court similarly reserved judgment on the appeal challenging the victory of Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo.

The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party as the winner of the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Bayelsa State.

But Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress rejected the poll result and challenged it at the election petition tribunal.

Having lost at the tribunal and the Court of Appeal, Sylva further proceeded to the Supreme Court, praying that Diri’s election be set aside.

In the appeal filed through his lawyer,  Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), Sylva wants the apex court to void the judgment of the appellate court affirming Diri’s victory at the November 11, 2023 poll.

But Diri, through his lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN), opposed the appeal and urged the Supreme Court to dismiss it for lacking in merit.

Uche described Sylva’s appeal as “terrible, bad and beyond redemption.”

INEC, represented by Charles Edoshomwan, and the PDP, represented by Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), similarly opposed Sylva’s appeal, praying for its dismissal.

After taking arguments from the parties involved, Justice Garba Lawal, adjourned for judgment to a date that would be communicated to parties.

Also, on Monday, the apex court reserved judgment on the appeal filed by Yakubu Ajaka of the  Social Democratic Party to challenge the election of Kogi governor, Ododo of the All Progressives Congress.

At the hearing on Monday, the apex court panel, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, dismissed Ajaka’s application praying that his appeal be heard by the Supreme Court’s full panel of seven Justices.