In the ongoing petition to challenge Governor Douye Diri’s victory in the Bayelsa State governorship election last November, Timipre Sylva of the APC has closed his case at the tribunal.
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Chief Sylva, a one-time Governor of Bayelsa State and immediate-past Minister of State (Petroleum), alleged violence and irregularities in the election, presenting evidence including voter registers from key local government areas in the state and asked the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja to nullify Sen, Diri’s victory on Tuesday.
The National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared Sen, Douye Diri, who was the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), winner of the election.
During the proceedings, the tribunal admitted 42 electoral documents comprising voter registers from various polling stations in Ogbia, Nembe and Southern Ijaw local government areas of Bayelsa State.
Erevision MediaTV gathered that Chief Sylva’s star witness, Chief Dennis Otiotio in his testimony before the three-member tribunal led by Adekunle Adeleye, while being crossed-examined by INEC lawyer, Charles Edosomwan, said that names on the 42 voter registers were not ticked to indicate those who voted during the 11 November 2023 governorship election in the state.
Chief Otiotio, a polling agent of the APC, also accused INEC of ignoring the tribunal’s earlier order asking the electoral commission to provide the petitioners with the voter registers that were used in the conduct of the election.
When asked by PDP’s lawyer, Tayo Oyetibo, if Chief Otiotio reported INEC’s failure to supply the petitioners with the voter’s registers, the witness answered in the negative.
Earlier, Akeem Alausa, a former Police Commissioner in Bayelsa State, testified in support of Chief Sylva’s petition, and tendered several exhibits in aid of the petitioners’ case.
While being cross-examined by INEC’s lawyer, Mr Alausa admitted that his role as the Police Chief in Bayelsa State during the election was characterised by protests. He said another top police officer, John Babangida, was deployed to Bayelsa State to replace him. However, Mr Alausa was later returned to Bayelsa State after the protests against him had quietened.
When confronted with the allegation of being Chief Sylva’s ally, Mr Alausa denied the claim.
During further cross-examination by Governor Diri’s lawyer, Chris Uche, Mr Alausa said he was at the tribunal to testify based on a letter from the office of the Inspector-General of Police.
The Police Chief disclosed that his witness statement on oath was prepared for him by another police officer in charge of legal issues, whose name he did not disclose.
According to Mr. Alausa, the documents he tendered before the tribunal were from policemen who were at polling stations on election day.
At the end of Tuesday’s hearing, Chief Sylva’s lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, announced the end of his client’s case. It would be Mr Diri and other respondents to open their cases
Despite Sylva’s efforts to nullify the election results, Governor Diri’s legal team will now have an opportunity to present their defence as the case continues.
Sen. Douye Diri was re-elected Governor last November, defeating his closest challenger Chief Sylva and 14 other contenders.
The tribunal has adjourned until March 4, 2023 for Governor Diri and other respondents to open their cases.
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