Bayelsa Governorship: Tribunal Upholds Diri’s Victory

Bayelsa Governorship: Tribunal Upholds Diri’s Victory

The Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, seated in Abuja, affirmed the election victory of Governor Douye Diri on Monday, May 27.

Led by Justice Adekunle Adeleye, the three-man panel dismissed the petition lodged by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Timipre Sylva, deeming it lacking in merit.

In a unanimous verdict, the tribunal ruled that the petitioners failed to present credible evidence to support any of their allegations against the outcome of the Bayelsa poll.

Furthermore, the tribunal disregarded all additional evidence and witness statements submitted by the petitioners, deeming them incompetent.

The tribunal underscored that the petitioners neglected to file their supplementary proof of evidence within the legally prescribed 21-day timeframe.

Regarding the belated submission of additional proof of evidence and witness statements by Sylva and his party, the tribunal deemed it an “attempt to surreptitiously amend the petitioners’ case.”