Diri: I’ll appeal the verdict against my election

Douye Diri, governor of Bayelsa, says he has instructed his lawyers to appeal the ruling of the state election petition tribunal which nullified his election.

The tribunal annulled Diri’s election over the exclusion of Lucky King-George, candidate of the Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP) from the November 16, 2019 poll.

On Saturday, a three-man panel of the tribunal had dismissed three petitions challenging the election on the grounds of incompetence and lacking merit.

But while delivering judgment on another petition on Monday, the panel directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh exercise within 90 days.

Responding, the governor expressed confidence that he would emerge successful at the end of the legal tussle.

“We trust in the judiciary and we are appealing the judgement. With God on our side, we will get justice,” Diri said.

“This is a court of first instance and I have instructed our lawyers to file an appeal. We have a right of appeal even up to the Supreme Court.”

He asked members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his supporters not to panic while urging them to remain law-abiding.

Diri, candidate of the PDP in the election, was sworn in as governor after the supreme court sacked David Lyon as governor-elect 24 hours before his inauguration.

The apex court based its rulings on the premise that Biobarakuma Degi-Eremieoyo, running mate of the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), presented forged certificates to INEC.