Bayelsa: Gov. Diri vows to appeal tribunal’s ruling

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State says he will appeal Monday’s ruling of the state election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja which nullified his election, and has consequently instructed his lawyers to file the necessary papers.

This is coming as the state election tribunal nullified his election and ordered for a fresh election within 90 days following a suit by Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP) candidate, Mr King George challenging his exclusion from November 16, 2019 governorship election in the state.

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The acting Chief Press Secretary to Governor Diri, Daniel Alabrah in a statement quoted the governor as saying that he has implicit confidence in the judiciary that he would triumph in the end.

He said: “We trust in the judiciary and we are appealing the judgement. With God on our side, we will get justice.

“This is a court of first instance and I have instructed our lawyers to file an appeal. We have a right of appeal even up to the Supreme Court.

“I urged members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and my supporters not to panic and to continue to remain calm and law-abiding.”

A three-member panel of justices presided by Justice Ibrahim Sirajo on Monday upheld the petition of the Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP) hinged on the exclusion of the party in the November 16, 2019 governorship election.

The panel ordered fresh election in the states within 90 days.

Diri had last week won at the tribunal in two petitions filed against him by Liberation Movement (LM) and Alliance for Democracy governorship candidates.

Diri, was sworn in as governor after the Supreme Court sacked David Lyon of the All progressives Congress, APC as governor-elect 24 hours before his inauguration.

A five-member panel of justices of the apex court led by Justice Mary Odili, in a unanimous judgement, held that Degi-Eremieoyo, running mate of David Lyon, presented a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).