Supreme Court sacks Bayelsa governorelect, deputy, gives PDP victory

…less than 24hrs to swearing-in

The Supreme Court on Thursday nullified the election of David Lyon of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his deputy as governor-elect and deputy governorelect of Bayelsa State in the November 16, 2019 governorship election in the state.

The apex court ordered that the certificate of return issued to Lyon and his deputy be withdrawn immediately and another issued to the party and candidate who came second in the election. With this judgment, the candidate with the highest lawful votes and with wide geographical spread, Diri Duoye of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who represents Bayelsa Central District at the Senate, will now be sworn in alongside his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District. The judgment, coming barely 24 hours to the swearingin of Lyon as Bayelsa State governor, has left many in the state in palpable shock and disbelief. Before the judgment, preparations were on top gear for Lyon’s inauguration as a good number of APC chieftains, including President Muhammadu Buhari, were expected to attend the ceremony slated for the main bowl of the Samson Siasia Sports Stadium, Yenagoa. While some Bayelsa citizens who spoke on condition of anonymity expressed disappointment att heap exc our t’ sjudgment,fi deli ssori wei, chief press secretary to outgoing Governor Seriake Dickson, told BusinessDay on phone that the people are happy and celebrating. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said the Supreme Court verdict declaring the PDP candidate in the Bayelsa gubernatorial election as the duly elected governor shows the apex court wants to free itself from dominance of dictatorial forces.