Bayelsa Governorship: Sylva and APC Conclude Case Against Diri

• The APC and Timipre Sylva have concluded their petitions challenging the outcome of the November 2023 governorship election in Bayelsa State
• INEC submitted 42 different voter registers from various polling units in Nembe, Ogbia, and Southern Ijaw LGAs to support their assertion

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and its gubernatorial candidate, Timipre Sylva, have officially concluded their petitions contesting the outcome of the November 2023 governorship election in Bayelsa State.

Sylva and the APC presented 52 witnesses before the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Abuja, where they challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Governor Duoye Diri. INEC and Diri are now scheduled to commence their defence on March 4.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, INEC submitted 42 different voter registers from various polling units in the state’s Nembe, Ogbia, and Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas (LGAs). This submission aimed to support INEC’s assertion that the election could not be conducted in those areas due to incidents of violence.

Subsequently, Justice Adekunle Adeleye set March 4 as the date for the commencement of the defence by INEC, Governor Diri, his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrujakpo, and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Sylva, a former Minister of Petroleum, along with the APC, had lodged petitions against INEC, Diri, Ewhrujakpo, and the PDP, contesting the election results. The results showed they garnered 175,196 votes compared to Sylva’s 110,108 votes.