David Lyon was set to take over Bayelsa state before the Supreme Court ordered his overthrow on Thursday.
A five-man panel of the apex court, led by Justice Mary Peter-Odili ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued Lyon, the All Progressives Congress’ candidate, after it ruled that the party’s deputy governorship candidate, Degi-Eremienyo, had presented forged certificates.
The court’s decision came as Lyon was attending a dress rehearsal for his inauguration, which had been scheduled for tomorrow, Friday at the Samson Siasia Sports Stadium in Yanagoa, the state capital.
Here are pictures from the dress-rehearsal:
The supreme court held that the action of Degi-Eremienyo affects Lyon because both men ran on a joint ticket.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Douye Diri, its governorship candidate, had filed a suit against Lyon, Degi-Eremienyo and INEC, seeking the disqualification of the APC deputy governorship candidate.
They alleged Degi-Eremienyo gave false information in his CF 0001 form submitted to INEC.
Inyang Ekwo, the trial court judge ruled in favour of the PDP on November 12, 2019.
Ekwo held that there was no connection between the name on the candidate’s school-leaving certificate, first degree (BA), master’s degree and the affidavits he swore.
However, the court of appeal upturned the decision of the trial court and affirmed the candidature of Lyon and Degi-Eremienyo.
Stephen Adah, the justice who chaired the three-man panel of the appellate court, said the PDP did not prove their case against the APC candidates.
The court held that Degi-Eremienyo submitted an affidavit which showed evidence of his change of name from Adeyi-Eremienyo to Degi-Eremienyo.
“I agree with the appellant that the owner of the school leaving certificate and the GCE certificate are one and the same and I therefore set aside the judgment of the court below,” Adah said.
Not satisfied with the decision of the court of appeal, Diri and his party filed an appeal at the supreme court.
In its judgment, the apex court set aside the decision of the appellate court and affirmed the verdict which nullified the candidature of Degi-Eremienyo.
Ejembi Eko, who read the lead judgment, ordered INEC to issue certificates of return to candidates of the party with the next highest number of lawful votes and with the required constitutional geographical spread in the election.
Channels Tv/ The Cable
