Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Fadehan Oyeyemi
Published on 2024-02-27 04:45:03
The Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal is set to hear from Timipire Sylva, the immediate past Minister of Petroleum, on his petition challenging the declaration of Governor Douye Diri as the winner of the November 11, 2023, governorship election in Bayelsa State. Sylva, who was the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), will testify as a star witness in his quest to nullify the election results.
Scheduled to appear in Abuja today, Sylva will be accompanied by his lead counsel, Ahmed Raji, and Ogwu James Onoja, both Senior Advocates of Nigeria. As a former Minister and governor of Bayelsa State, Sylva is expected to provide his account of the gubernatorial election before the Tribunal. The incumbent Governor, Diri, who represents the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), will have the opportunity to cross-examine Sylva after his testimony. Diri is being represented by a team of senior lawyers led by Chris Uche, SAN.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), responsible for conducting the election, will also have the chance to question Sylva on his allegations against the electoral process. The official results declared Diri as the winner with 175,196 votes, defeating Sylva who garnered 110,108 votes. Dissatisfied with the outcome, Sylva and the APC lodged a petition with the tribunal to contest Diri’s victory.
Justice Adekunle Adeleye, the Chairman of the Tribunal, will preside over today’s hearing. The legal proceedings will provide a platform for both parties to present their arguments and evidence in the quest for justice and electoral transparency.
The testimonies and cross-examinations in the tribunal will shed light on the circumstances surrounding the governorship election and the validity of the declared results. It is a critical moment for the political landscape in Bayelsa State, as the outcome of this legal challenge could have significant implications for the governance and future elections in the state.
As Sylva takes the stand as a key witness, all eyes will be on the tribunal proceedings to see how the evidence unfolds and the arguments are presented. The pursuit of justice and the upholding of democratic principles are at the forefront of this legal battle, with the hopes of ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process for the people of Bayelsa State.
Read Original article Here
