There were mixed feelings in Bayelsa State on Thursday as the Supreme Court sacked the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief David Lyon, as the duly elected governor of the state.
While most residents of Yenagoa loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rejoiced over the ruling of the Apex court, others were in a pensive mood.
The apex court had ruled that Chief Degi Eremienyo, the Deputy Governor-elect of the APC, presented a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
It held that the Form CF 001 Chief Degi submitted to INEC for the purpose of the November 16, 2019, governorship election in the state, contained false information of fundamental nature.
At the Government House, Yenagoa, there was wild jubilation and heavily armed security personnel secured the gates immediately the verdict was given.
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However, the State Commissioner for Information, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, in a statement announced that the outgoing governor, Hon Seriake Dickson will be having a special valedictory live media chat as follows today by 6:00 pm at the Government House.
The statement read: “Governor Dickson, who is the first Two-term Governor of Bayelsa State and serving his last 24 hours in the office, will speak on a wide range of issues, including the today’s Supreme Court judgment on the State Governorship election, among others.”
When contacted, the head of INEC Voters Education and Publicity in the State, Wilfred Ifogha, said the INEC would not issue any statement saying the Commission is yet to receive the certified copy of the Supreme Court ruling.
He said: “As at the time I contacted the National Secretariat, I was told the INEC is yet to receive the certified copy of the judgement. Until that is done story is still a story we all heard from the media. It is only when we have received the document and study it, we can respond appropriately.”
Speaking shortly after the verdict was given, the Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the state, Macbere Osom, described the ruling of the party as a perfect ruling that reassures democratic minds that the Supreme Court is the final hope of the common man.
He said: “I want to call on all members of the PDP to remain steadfast and calm as the victory of our party at the Supreme Court is a victory for all Bayelsans.”
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