The Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has affirmed the re-election of Governor Douye Diri, dismissing the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Timipre Sylva.
The three-man panel, led by Justice Adekunle Adeleye, unanimously ruled that the petitioners failed to provide credible evidence to support their allegations of irregularities in the governorship election.
The tribunal rejected the petitioners’ attempt to file additional proof of evidence and witness statements after the initial filing, citing procedural irregularities.
Furthermore, the tribunal dismissed allegations of certificate forgery against Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, ruling that it was a pre-election matter that should have been addressed before the Federal High Court.
The petitioners’ contradictory prayers, seeking both a declaration of victory and invalidation of the election, were also noted by the tribunal.
In its ruling, the tribunal held that the petitioners failed to meet the legal burden of proof, failing to show substantial evidence of non-compliance that affected the election outcome.
