By Milcah Tanimu

Following deliberations in Abuja, the Bayelsa Governorship Election Petition Tribunal upheld Governor Douye Diri’s electoral triumph. Led by Justice Adekunle Adeleye, the three-member panel dismissed the case brought forth by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its gubernatorial candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, deeming it without merit.

In a unanimous ruling, the tribunal cited the petitioners’ failure to provide substantial evidence supporting their claims against the state’s gubernatorial election results. They deemed the additional evidence and witness statements submitted by the petitioners as inadmissible, highlighting procedural violations.

The tribunal underscored legal requirements mandating election petitions to be filed within 21 days of result declaration, accompanied by written witness statements. Any subsequent evidence submissions were deemed improper amendments to the petitioners’ case.

Additionally, allegations concerning the deputy governor’s credentials were dismissed as pre-election matters falling under Federal High Court jurisdiction. Notably, the tribunal acknowledged the prior judicial validation of the deputy governor’s qualifications as a legal practitioner.

The tribunal also addressed the contradictory nature of the petitioners’ prayers, noting their failure to provide concrete evidence of electoral irregularities or how they impacted the election outcome.

Ultimately, the tribunal concluded that the petitioners failed to meet the legal burden of proof, lacking specific evidence to substantiate their claims of non-compliance at polling units and its consequential impact on the election results.