Bayelsa: INEC declares seat of Senator Diri, Ewhrudjakpo vacant

The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared vacant two seats in the 9th Senate.
At a meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners on Friday, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmoud said bye-elections would be conducted in Bayelsa Central and Bayelsa west Senatorial Districts.

He told the gathering of RECs and newsmen that the development was a sequel to notification by the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan.

Tribune Online checks revealed that Senator Douye Diri from Bayelsa central has since emerged as governor last Friday following the judgment of the Supreme Court which voided the victory of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, David Lyon and his deputy, Senator Biobarakuma Degi.

The latter was the Senator representing Bayelsa East. Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo representing Bayelsa west has equally emerged as deputy governor to Senator Diri on joint ticket of the PDP.

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Professor Yakubu however who gave the disclosure said the Commission would soon fix a date for the election in the south South State.

He said: “In compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court, the Commission has presented Certificates of Return in respect of the Governorship elections in Imo and Bayelsa States. In the case of Bayelsa State, both the Governor and Deputy Governor were serving Senators. Consequently, the Commission yesterday Thursday 20th February 2020 received two communications from the Senate President declaring the seats for Bayelsa Central and Bayelsa West Senatorial Districts vacant.

The Commission will soon meet to determine the dates for by-elections in the two Senatorial Districts.”
The INEC chairman gave Saturday 14th March 2020 for pending bye-elections into certain Federal constituencies in Kwara, Jigawa and Plateau states.

“Furthermore, the Commission has released the timetable and schedule of activities for bye-elections to fill vacancies in Magama/Rijau Federal Constituency in Niger State, Babura/Garki Federal Constituency in Jigawa State, Patigi State Constituency in Kwara State and Kebbe State Constituency in Sokoto State.

Going by the timetable, the period for the conduct of party primaries and nomination of candidates has lapsed. Four political parties have nominated candidates for the Magama/Rijau Federal Constituency, three parties for Babura/Garki Federal Constituency, six parties for Patigi State Constituency and seven parties for Kebbe State Constituency. The elections are scheduled to hold simultaneously in the four states on Saturday 14th March 2020.”