Jubilation in Bayelsa as Supreme Court declares Duoye Diri Governor-elect

ABUJA, Nigeria – Government House, Bayelsa State was thrown into a frenzy earlier today when the Supreme Court sacked candidate of the All Progressive Congress(APC), Mr. David Lyon, who was declared winner by Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC).

The Supreme Court declared candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Mr. Douye Diri as the duly elected governor of Bayelsa State.

In a unanimous decision by a five-man panel of Justices led by Justice Mary Odili, the apex court held that the Deputy Governorship candidate of the APC, Mr. Degi-Eremieoyo presented a forged certificate to INEC.

According to the apex court, Form CF 001 that Degi-Eremieoyo submitted to INEC for the purpose of the November 16, 2019, governorship election in the state, contained false information of fundamental nature.

Justice Ejembi Eko who delivered the lead judgement upheld the November 12, 2019, Judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja that disqualified Degi-Eremieoyo from participating in the governorship poll.

The apex court held that since Degi-Eremieoyo shared a joint ticket with the governor-elect, his disqualification invalidated their nomination by the All Progressive Congress, APC.

The Supreme Court thereafter ordered INEC to immediately withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to David Lyon and issue another to Duoye Diri of the PDP.