APC rejects INEC’s declaration of Diri as Bayelsa governor-elect

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare Douye Diri, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as governor-elect of Bayelsa state.

On Thursday, the supreme court sacked David Lyon, APC candidate, as governor-elect of the state.

Lyon was sacked on grounds that Biobarakuma Degi-Eriemienyo, his running mate, presented forged certificate to INEC.

Speaking with journalists at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Friday afternoon, Adams Oshiomhole, APC national chairman, said INEC has assumed judicial powers.

Oshiomhole said nobody should hide under the judiciary to impose the “minority” on the people of Bayelsa.

“INEC has decided to assume that the case of Bayelsa is the same with that of Zamfara. INEC has assumed judicial power,” the chairman said.

“I wrote to INEC after the deliberation with the NWC that if it was the intention of the supreme court to void the votes of APC.

“We have consulted and resolved to reject in its entirety the decision to issue a certificate to the PDP candidate.

“We want to put the people of Nigeria on notice and of course the people of Bayelsa that nobody should hide under the judicial cover to impose minority on the people, even INEC is in contempt of the court.”

The chairman said the party would seek legal redress.

Oshiomhole had earlier said Diri did not meet the requirement to be sworn in as governor, adding that the implication of the supreme court ruling is that Bayelsa would be without a governor at the end of Dickson’s tenure on Friday.