The Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has scheduled April 22 for parties to present their final briefs of argument in the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Timipre Sylva, contesting the outcome of the election.
The three-member panel, headed by Justice Adekunle Adeleye, approved the adoption of addresses after Governor Douye Diri, his deputy Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who are respondents in the case, concluded their defense.
During Thursday’s session, Governor Diri and his deputy were prepared to commence and conclude their defense. Governor Diri attended the proceedings and witnessed as his witness submitted the official election result and the final declaration of the result.
Under cross-examination by the petitioners’ counsel, the witness affirmed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) effectively fulfilled its duties by conducting the election in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and the Electoral Act of 2022.
The PDP witness told the tribunal that, although he was not physically there on election day, he was virtually present in the local government areas of Ogbia and Nembe. On election day, he said, individuals whose names were not checked in the register did not cast ballots.
The witnesses’ name was included in a certified copy of the voters register, which the tribunal took into evidence over the petitioners’ objections.
The tribunal has scheduled the adoption of written addresses for April 22.