UPDATED: Dickson floors Sylva at supreme court

The supreme court has upheld the election of Seriake Dickson, governor of Bayelsa state.

Timipre Sylva, who contested the election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), challenged the victory of Dickson.

He had filed a petition at the tribunal, alleging that the election was marred with irregularities.

Sylva asked the tribunal to declare him the duly elected governor.

But having lost at the tribunal and appellate court, Sylva headed for the apex court.

‎At the court on Tuesday, the panel of justices led by Tanko Ibrahim affirmed the judgements of the tribunal and the appellate court.

“I came to the conclusion that it lacks merit and it should be dismissed, I hereby dismiss the appeal and affirm the judgement of the court below,” Ibrahim held.

“I shall give my reason for the dismissal on Friday, the 18th of November 2016. Parties therefore bear cost.”

Earlier, Sebastian Hon, counsel to Sylva, had argued that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had no jurisdiction to cancel the election Bayelsa governorship election.

The election held twice as a result of violence in Southern Ijaw local government.

“INEC had no jurisdiction to cancel the election. We submit that section 26 (1) of the electoral act which they relied upon is erroneous,” Hon told the court.

“We urge your lordships to allow our appeal and set aside the decision of the tribunal affirmed by the court of appeal.”

On his part, Tayo Oyetibo told the court that since Sylva had held the governorship office twice, he lacked the locus standi to file the petition.

“We urge your lordships to dismiss the application since they participated in the election.”

Also, counsels to the People Democratic Party (PDP) and INEC, Wole Olanipekun and Onyechi Ikpeazu both urged the court to dismiss Sylva’s appeal.

All the three appeals heard by the apex court went in favour of Dickson.