The Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has told its supporters to accept the final verdict of the Supreme Court on the state governorship tussle in good faith.
The party said this in its reaction to Wednesday’s ruling of the apex court which threw out a request by the party for a review of the state governorship election result for lack of merit.
It will be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the APC and its candidate, David Lyon winner of the November 16th, 2019 Bayelsa governorship election.
However, barely 24 hours to the expected inauguration of Lyon as the state governor, a Supreme Court judgment of 13th February 2020, disqualified him based on the fake results presented by his running mate, Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo.
The court further gave victory to Duoye Diri and his running mate, Senator Lawrence Ewrujakpor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who have since been sworn in as the authentic state governor and deputy governor respectfully.
However, not satisfied with the Supreme Court ruling, the APC had requested a review of the apex court’s judgment. Their request was however dismissed on Wednesday by the court for lack of merit.
They were also ordered to pay several millions of naira for wasting the time of the court.
Reacting to the latest development, the Bayelsa State chairman of the APC, Jothan Amos speaking in Yenagoa, the state capital on Thursday, called on party faithful to remain calm and accept the judgment in good faith.
He said: “Let me use this opportunity to extend warm greetings from Chief David Lyon and the headship of the All Progressive Congress (APC). Let me also thank all Bayelsans of the voting age who sacrificed in their numbers to turn out to vote on the 16th November 2019.
“We are indeed specially honored and humble to have over three hundred and forty thousand (340,000) votes, that to us demonstrated the change matrix we all yearn and desire.
“You may recall that on the 13th of February 2020, the supreme Court disqualified the APC -ticket and ordered for immediate swearing-in of Senator Douye Diri and Senator Lawrence Ewrujakpor as Governor and Deputy Governor respectively. The new news led to pockets of violence across the state which Chief David Lyon had condemned earlier.
“The party not satisfied with the decision made an appeal to the same Apex Court for a review. Yesterday 26th February 2020 the Supreme Court expressed its audacity of finality by upholding her earlier judgement.
“Therefore, let me thank all party faithful and Bayelsans for their support, prayers, encouragement and sacrifice in the course of the campaigns through to the election and even to this present moment.
“Let me also encourage all party faithful and Bayelsans in general to accept the decision of the Supreme Court in good faith and ensue peace and love.
“As a party, we must unite to uphold peace to leverage on the love extended to us by Bayelsans as clearly demonstrated on the 16th November, 2020.”
