Gov. Diri

The Bayelsa State Gubernatorial Petition Tribunal has nullified the election of Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State.

The election was nullified based on a petition by the Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party, which argued that it was unlawfully excluded from participating in the election.

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

In a split judgement of two to one, the three-man panel ruled that INEC does not have the power to disqualify any candidate from any election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in its argument said that the party’s Deputy Governorship candidate was 34 years old as at the time of nomination and therefore did not qualify to contest the election.

ANDP held that its initial Deputy Governorship Candidate, David Esinkuma was duly substituted by the Party within the allowed time frame, following the notification from INEC that he was under-age.

Delivering judgement,Justice Musa said that INEC has no power to disqualify any candidate and insisted that the petition of the ANDP stands.