The Bayelsa Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has rejected a recent motion filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Timipre Sylva, seeking the disqualification of the panel handling their petition challenging the election of Governor Douye Diri.
Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Adekunle Adeleye, delivered the ruling following arguments presented by legal representatives of the parties involved.
According to reports, Mr. Tunde Falola represented Timipre Sylva, Mr. Charles Edosanwan represented the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Mr. Chris Uche, SAN, represented Governor Diri. Additionally, Mr. Chukwuma Machukwu-Ume, SAN, represented the Deputy Governor, while Mr. Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, stood for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The petitioners’ counsel stated that they filed the motion due to concerns about receiving fair treatment from the current panel members. They cited alleged irregularities during the proceedings as the basis for their loss of confidence in the tribunal’s impartiality.
Falola urged the tribunal to step aside from the case and suggested the formation of a new panel to handle the petition.
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However, Justice Adeleye referenced a letter from the President of the Court of Appeal dated March 5, instructing the tribunal to proceed with the case despite any applications from the parties involved. He asserted that the president’s directive overruled the petitioners’ request for the dissolution of the tribunal.
All respondents, including Governor Diri, his deputy, INEC, and the PDP, opposed the motion for the panel to recuse itself. They argued that the request was a tactic to hinder the respondents’ ability to present their defense.
Furthermore, the respondents claimed that APC and Sylva’s motion was an attempt to manipulate the tribunal and undermine its members’ credibility.
The respondents also noted that APC and Sylva had prematurely concluded their case, indicating no basis for alleging unfair treatment.