The Supreme Court of Nigeria has upheld Senator Douye Diri's election as Bayelsa State governor, dismissing an appeal from Timipre Sylva of the APC. The court deemed the appeal lacking merit, reinforcing the earlier decisions of both the Court of Appeal and the Bayelsa Election Petition Tribunal.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has upheld the election of Senator Douye Diri as the governor of Bayelsa State, dismissing an appeal from his opponent, Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC). This landmark decision, delivered by Justice Garba Lawal, declared the appeal as lacking merit and an abuse of court process.
On Friday, the apex court’s unanimous ruling affirmed the earlier judgments of both the Court of Appeal and the Bayelsa Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. The Court of Appeal had previously upheld Diri's reelection, which took place on November 11, 2023, reaffirming that Sylva and the APC failed to provide credible evidence supporting their claims against the electoral outcome.
The tribunal's decision, led by Justice Adekunle Adeleye, on May 27, 2024, had similarly dismissed the APC's petition. It concluded that the evidence presented was insufficient to warrant any changes to the election results.
This ruling consolidates Diri's position as governor, setting a significant precedent for future electoral disputes in Nigeria. Following the court's decision, reactions from political analysts and party officials have been mixed, with many urging the APC to regroup and strategize for future elections. The outcome reinforces the stability of Diri's administration, amidst ongoing discussions about governance and electoral integrity in the region.
