The Bayelsa Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has dismissed a recent motion submitted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Timipre Sylva, requesting the panel to step down from handling their petition challenging the election of Governor Douye Diri.
Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Adekunle Adeleye, made the ruling after considering arguments from legal representatives of the involved parties.
POLITICS NIGERIA learned that Mr. Tunde Falola represented Timipre Sylva, Mr. Charles Edosanwan represented the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Mr. Chris Uche, SAN, represented Governor Diri. Furthermore, Mr. Chukwuma Machukwu-Ume, SAN, represented the Deputy Governor, while Mr. Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, stood for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Counsel for the petitioners explained to the tribunal that they filed the motion due to their strong belief that they would not receive fair treatment from the current panel members. They cited unusual circumstances during the proceedings that led to their loss of confidence in the tribunal’s impartiality.
Falola urged the tribunal to step aside from the case, proposing the formation of a new panel to handle the petition.
In response, Justice Adeleye referenced a letter from the President of the Court of Appeal dated March 5, instructing the tribunal to proceed with the case regardless of any applications made by the involved parties. He stated that the president’s directive superseded the petitioners’ request for the tribunal’s dissolution.
However, all respondents, including Governor Diri, his deputy, INEC, and the PDP, opposed the motion for the panel to recuse itself. They argued that such a request was a tactic to obstruct the respondents’ ability to present their defense.
Furthermore, the respondents contended that the motion by APC and Sylva was an attempt to manipulate the tribunal and discredit its members.
The respondents also pointed out that APC and Sylva prematurely concluded their case, indicating no grounds for alleging unfair treatment.
