As Sylva, APC allege bias
Bayelsa Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, yesterday, adjourned hearing in the petition filed by Timipre Sylva and the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the election of Governor Duoye Diri.
The three-member panel adjourned on the instance of the fact that the petitioners are to await the decision of the Court of Appeal President, Monica Dongban-mensem, on a petition against the panel, led by Justice Adekunle Adeleye.
The tribunal had, last week, adjourned till yesterday, March 4, for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to open its defence of the November 11, 2023, governorship election that produced Diri as re-elected Governor of Bayelsa State.
However, when the case was called, counsel to the petitioners, R. O. Balogun, informed the tribunal of a petition and letter written to the President of the Court of Appeal and the Secretary of the tribunal, complaining of bias and lack of fair hearing.
Balogun said that the petition specifically asked the President to disband the panel and constitute a new one, adding that the petitioners still have till May 28 for their petition to expire.
He, therefore, urged the tribunal to adjourne further proceedings, pending the decision of the Court of Appeal President.
INEC, Diri and his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrujakpo, had initially opposed the request for adjournment, but made a U-turn, after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) pointed out that it is the petitioners’ case, noting that they can spend the whole year arguing it.
