By Milcah Tanimu

Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri, and his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrujakpo, are set to open their defence before the state governorship tribunal in Abuja next week. The legal challenge to their re-election comes from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Timipre Sylva.

The dispute arose after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Diri the winner of the election with 175,196 votes, defeating his closest rival, Timipre Sylva of the APC, who scored 110,108 votes.

The APC and Sylva contested the results, alleging that elections were conducted in some polling units in three local governments (Southern Ijaw, Ogbia, and Nembe), where INEC and other respondents claimed there was no election. The petitioners argue that including the results from these areas would declare them the winners.

During the hearing that commenced on February 14, 2024, INEC presented evidence supporting its claim that voting did not take place due to the alleged diversion of materials and disruption of the electoral process, particularly regarding the alleged bypass of the BVAS machine.

After calling four witnesses, the petitioners sought an adjournment to present additional witnesses to substantiate their case. The request was unopposed, and the tribunal’s chairman, Justice Adekunle Adeleye, announced Monday and Tuesday of next week for the continuation of the trial.

Following the expected conclusion of the petitioners’ case next week, Governor Diri, Deputy Governor Ewhrujakpo, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are anticipated to present their defence in response to the election challenge.