Bayelsa guber election: Fear, anxiety as tribunal delivers judgment
chuks oti
Aug 13, 2020
Fear and apprehension have gripped the people of Bayelsa as the State Governorship Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja has set Saturday, August 15, 2020, to deliver judgment.
READ ALSO: Nigeria Budgets N135bn For 2027 Election Lawsuits -
The day is set for judgment in the case between Vijah Opuama vs Independent National Electoral Commission, People's Democratic Party, Senator Douye Diri and Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
READ ALSO: ADC Crisis: Nwosu Links INEC Decision to Jagaban Politics | READ WHY
The petitioner, Vijah Opuama, of the Liberation Movement had filed his petition on February 21, 2020 challenging the declaration of His Excellency, Douye Diri and Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo as governor and deputy governor respectively in Bayelsa State.
READ ALSO: DANGER: BOKO HARAM SECT MOUNTS ROAD BLOCKS IN MAIDUGURI, 7 TRAVELERS KILLED
Opuamah's case commenced like a joke immediately the Supreme Court declared Diri the winner of the November 16, 2019 governorship election following the disqualification of the Governor-elect, David Lyon.
READ ALSO: Olawepo-Hashim Resigns From PDP, Vows To Resist One Party State -
The case, packaged by three young lawyers, Ebikebuna Aluzu, Pius Danba and Ebi Robert, was dismissed initially by most PDP leaders as dead on arrival, until careful scrutiny of the processes filed by the lawyers indicated otherwise.
READ ALSO: Ex-NFF President, Pinnick Sues Davido To Court, Demands N2.3bn | READ DETAILS
Opuama is seeking the disqualification of Ewhrudjakpo on the grounds of irregularities in his academic qualifications and the cancellation of the governorship election.
READ ALSO: Yusuf Buhari Declares Interest In House Of Representatives Seat -
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.
READ ALSO: See Mixed Reactions as 5 Policemen Died in Ondo Road Crash
Upon the close of pleadings and adoption of addresses by all the parties concerned, the tribunal had adjourned for judgment on a date to be communicated to all the parties.
READ ALSO: [INSECURITY] Abia Assembly set to summon security heads
But since the judgment day was made public, anxiety seems to have pervaded the state, particularly the PDP family of what the likely outcome would be.
READ ALSO: Benue North-East: I will be running for Senate in 2027 - Suswam
It was learnt that the government was not leaving anything to chance considering what happened to David Lyon 24 hours to his inauguration.
A politician and indigene of the state, Christopher Abarowei, said the matter had an equal chance to the petitioner and the respondent.
READ ALSO: Nigeria: Supreme Court Set to Decide ADC Leadership Battle | SEE DATE
He said his major concern was that litigants should allow governance progress in the state instead of unnecessary litigations that were stifling infrastructure development.
READ ALSO: Prof. Greg Ibe Condoles With Senator Mao Ohuabunwa On His Wife's Demise
He said because of litigations, Governor Diri had not actually hit the ground running as he had been busy attending to one court case or another.
READ ALSO: Nigeria Budgets N135bn For 2027 Election Lawsuits -
Reacting to the coming judgment, the state's deputy governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said there was nothing to be afraid of concerning the judgment.
READ ALSO: ADC Crisis: Nwosu Links INEC Decision to Jagaban Politics | READ WHY
The deputy governor, who spoke through his media aide, Doubara Atasi, said he believed that judiciary would do the right thing.
READ ALSO: DANGER: BOKO HARAM SECT MOUNTS ROAD BLOCKS IN MAIDUGURI, 7 TRAVELERS KILLED
He stated: "My principal (Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo) remains unruffled. There is nothing to be afraid of concerning the judgment.
READ ALSO: Olawepo-Hashim Resigns From PDP, Vows To Resist One Party State -
"I believe that the judiciary will do the right thing and as far as the right thing is done, there is nothing to be afraid of.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: Ex-NFF President, Pinnick Sues Davido To Court, Demands N2.3bn | READ DETAILS
Credits
Related Stories
Nigeria: Supreme Court Set to Decide ADC Leadership Battle | SEE DATE
Benue North-East: I will be running for Senate in 2027 - Suswam
ADC Crisis: Nwosu Links INEC Decision to Jagaban Politics | READ WHY
Yusuf Buhari Declares Interest In House Of Representatives Seat -
Nigeria Budgets N135bn For 2027 Election Lawsuits -
Olawepo-Hashim Resigns From PDP, Vows To Resist One Party State -
""
— chuks oti