The Abuja division of the court of appeal has upheld the election of Seriake Dickson of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), as the governor of Bayelsa state.
Delivering it’s judgement on the appeal against decision of the governorship Tribunal, the court dismissed the appeal filled by Timipre Sylva, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
A five-man panel, led by JusticeJimi Bada, said the claim by Sylva and his party, that the resident Electoral Commissioner in Bayelsa state cancelled the election that was held on December 6 2015 was invalid.
The court decided that Sylva failed to prove the allegations of corruption, non compliance, gross violation of the electoral act and other malpractices, as alleged regarding the election.
The appellate court said the ground upon which the appellants based their case that the December 6, 2015 election was cancelled did not hold water because they participated actively in the rescheduled election on January 9, 2016.
The court also said the decision to postpone the December 6, 2015 election to January 9, 2016 was taken by INEC and stakeholders.
“The contention of the appellant has no merit. They were expected to leave evidence to prove their claim that the election was marred by irregularities, electoral malpractices, allocation of votes and gross violation of electoral act. These allegations were not proved by the appellants.
“Am in total agreement with the judgement of the lower Tribunal because it’s decision was based on the evidence place before it, the court held.
