Bayelsa State gubernatorial election tribunal sitting in Abuja on Saturday, struck out a petition submitted to it by Mr. Owei Woniwei of the Alliance for Democracy, against Governor Duoye Diri.
The tribunal also affirmed the election of Diri as Bayelsa Governor.
The petition against the governor’s election was dismissed on the grounds that it lacks merit.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Owodunni, the tribunal held that the petition is incompetent.
Woniwei challenged the declaration of Diri and Mr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo as Governor and Deputy Governor respectively in Bayelsa State.
The petitioner sought the disqualification of Ewhrudjakpo on the grounds of irregularities in his academic qualifications and the cancellation of the governorship election.
He also prayed the court to order a fresh election in Bayelsa, alleging that the poll conducted by the INEC failed to comply with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
Delivering the judgement, the Tribunal held that the petitioner failed to prove the allegations of the forged declaration of age and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharged certificate levelled against the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence.
Details later…
