Why Diri heads to Appeal Court after Tribunal nullifies his election

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri has gone to the Appeal Court to challenge Tribunal’s judgment nullifying his election as governor of the State.

The Bayelsa Governorship Election Tribunal had on Monday nullified the last governorship election in Bayelsa State following the exclusion of Action Democratic Party (ADP) and its candidate, King George from the November 16, 2019 governorship election.

But Diri, immediately said he would appeal the judgment and, had instructed his lawyers to file the necessary papers to challenge the judgement.

In a statement by his acting Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, Diri said he has implicit confidence in the judiciary that he would triumph in the end.

“We trust in the judiciary and we are appealing the judgement. With God on our side, we will get justice. This is a court of first instance and I have instructed our lawyers to file an appeal. We have a right of appeal even up to the Supreme Court.”

Diri urged members of the Peoples Democratic Party and his supporters not to panic and to continue to remain calm and law-abiding.

The three-member panel of the Tribunal, led by Justice Mohammed Sirajo had on Monday held that the election was unlawful due to the exclusion of Action Democratic Party (ADP) and its candidate, King George from the November 16, 2019 governorship election.

The tribunal ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a bye election within 90 days.