The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has responded to the Supreme Court’s decision to sack the party’s candidate, David Lyon, as the winner of Bayelsa governorship election.
In a statement released to the press, Oshiomhole emphasized that the People’s Democratic Party candidate, Senator Duoye Diri, who the Supreme Court directed the Independent and National Eelctoral Commission (INEC) to give a new certificate of return to, does not have one quarter of the total lawful votes cast in two third of the eight local government areas of Bayelsa state.
Oshiomhole asserted that legally, no one can be sworn in as Governor of Bayelsa State on February 12. He mentioned that the annulment of David Lyon’s victory indicates that no candidate meets the requirements of the law, and proceeding with the swearing-in would constitute a deliberate abuse of the legal process.
Regarding the Supreme Court ruling, Oshiomhole expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome, stating that it lacks the fruits of justice. He raised questions about the authenticity of the deputy governor elect and whether the people’s votes were dismissed on the basis of technicalities.
Oshiomhole recalled a similar case in Bauchi in 1999, where the Supreme Court ordered a fresh election after nullifying the election of former Governor Adamu Muazu.
He reassured party members and Nigerians that they are a law-abiding party and affirmed their belief in the will of the people of Bayelsa.