Following the judgement of the Supreme Court on Friday which affirmed the election of Governor Douye Diri, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has congratulated the Bayelsa helmsman, describing the decision of the apex court as a significant win for democracy.
The five-member panel of judges upheld Diri’s reelection and unanimously rejected the appeal by All Progressives Congress (APC), candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva.
The judges agreed with the lower courts that Diri was the authentic winner of the November 11, 2023 governorship election as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and that the appeal filed by Sylva was not only lacking in merit but an abuse of court processes.
In a statement by its national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP said the verdict of the apex court was the will of the people as expressed in the poll.
The statement read: “The verdict of the Supreme Court is another victory for Democracy, the Rule of Law, and the expressed Will of the people of Bayelsa State in their quest for good governance and development on the platform of the PDP.
“Governor Diri’s re-election by the overwhelming majority of the people of Bayelsa State is a resounding testament in recognition and appreciation of his outstanding achievements in the delivery of life-changing citizen empowerment programmes and projects in the state.”
The PDP, however, opined that the validation of the governorship elections in Imo and Kogi States was a critical issue caused by INEC’s flawed processes and disregard for the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act and Electoral Guidelines.
It said: "The PDP, however, raises serious concerns about the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the governorship elections in Imo and Kogi states despite confirmed reports and evidence that the elections were heavily flawed and blatantly compromised, marred by widespread violence and manipulations by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in connivance with certain unscrupulous officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The general melancholic disposition in Imo and Kogi States at the news of the judgment validates the concerns and views of our Party and majority of Nigerians that the results of the elections declared in the two States did not reflect the true aspiration of the people as expressed in their votes.
“The upholding of the governorship election in Imo and Kogi States further underscores a very serious challenge created by the blemished operation and violation of the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and Electoral Guidelines by INEC.
“The judgement also underlines the clamour and demand by our Party and Nigerians for a comprehensive review of the Electoral Law particularly concerning the declaration of results of election without due regard to issues and complaints arising from obvious violation of the provisions of the law and electoral processes.”
The PDP added that as a law-abiding party, it respects the decision of the Supreme Court despite its deep reservations and urged Nigerians to remain calm but determined in the collective quest to ensure the entrenchment of credible elections in Nigeria.
