The Bayelsa State Governorship Election Tribunal has nullified the election that produced candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP), Senator Duoye Diri as Governor.
The three-member Governorship election panel held that the election was unlawful due to the exclusion of Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP) and its candidate, King George from the November 16, 2019 governorship election.
In their judgement, the Governorship election tribunal then ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a bye-election within 90 days.
The latest is coming a few weeks after the Supreme Court of Nigeria reaffirmed the election of PDP candidate, Douye Diri as the winner of the Governorship election, and Governor-elect.
Recall that we reported here that Justice Amina Augie who read the judgment in February 2020, had said that the application to nullify the election by APC and its candidate David Lyon, lacks merit, adding that the decisions of the court are final.
She had added then that the applicants failed to point out errors, stating that the judgment is final for all ages.
The Supreme Court judge said the judgment is final in the ‘real sense’ and no court on earth can review the judgment.
The applicants specifically asked the Supreme Court to set aside the “wrong” interpretation given to its judgment of February 13, 2020, and the subsequent execution by INEC.
Among others, APC had contended that the Supreme Court, in its judgment, misinterpreted the November 12, 2019 judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja which it affirmed.
The party argued that the Supreme Court acted without jurisdiction and denied it fair hearing when it proceeded to disqualify its governorship candidate even though the Federal High Court, in the judgment by Justice Inyang Ekwo, which the apex court affirmed, refused the prayer to disqualify Lyon.
APC also faulted the interpretation given to the Supreme Court judgment by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in deciding to issue a certificate of return to the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa, All Progressives Congress Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, supporters of the parties in the dispute and others were in court.