….As Dickson Reacts To Tribunal Judgement
By Gbenga Abulude
Following the ruling by the Bayelsa gubernatorial petition tribunal, nullifying his election and sacking him as Bayelsa governor, Mr. Duoye Diri has asked his legal counsels to file appeal papers against the judgement.
The New Diplomat had reported that the tribunal in Abuja, early Monday, ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wrongly excluded the Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP) governorship candidate in the November 2019 governorship election in the state.
The tribunal also ordered INEC to conduct a bye-election within 90 days in the state.
Reacting to the judgement, Diri 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.”
The governor asked supporters and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state not to be upbeat about the judgement.
Meanwhile, former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Seriake Dickson, has urged Bayelsans not to be perturbed by the judgment of the Election Petition Tribunal which annulled the state Governorship election on Monday.
He described the judgment as a temporary setback which does not affect the status quo until appeal processes are exhausted.
The former Governor said in a statement by his media aide, Mr Fidelis Soriwei, that the PDP and the Government would appeal the judgment.
He stated that there was no vacancy in the Bayelsa Government House as Diri remains Governor until a final decision on the issue was reached at the Supreme Court.
Chief Dickson urged Bayelsans to go about their lawful duties without any disturbance because of the judgment on the suit filed by the Advanced Nigerian Democratic Party against its purported exclusion in the election by INEC.
He said: “I urge Bayelsans to remain calm. They shouldn’t misinterpret what took place at the tribunal today.
“The judgment is a temporary setback which does not have any effect on the status quo until all processes of appeal are exhausted.
“There is no vacancy in the Bayelsa Government House. Diri remains Governor until the Supreme Court decides.”
