Appeal Court Declares Diri Winner, Dismisses Alaibe's Suit

 

An appeal filed by Ndutimi Alaibe challenging the emergence of Douye Diri as the winner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary election in Bayelsa has been dismissed by the court of appeal in Owerri.

 

Alaibe, who was a governorship aspirant of the PDP in the 2019 election, had instituted a suit against the party, Diri and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the federal high court in Owerri.

 

On March 10, Tijjani Ringim, a high court judge, in his judgment, dismissed Alaibe’s suit for lacking merit.

“Evidence available to me indicates that the process leading to the emergence of Diri as the candidate of the PDP in the September 3 governorship primaries in Bayelsa was legitimate,” the judge held.

 

Dissatisfied with the judgment of the federal high court, Alaibe proceeded to the court of appeal.

 

The court on Tuesday affirmed the judgment of the lower court and dismissed the suit for lacking merit.

 

On February 13, Diri was pronounced as Bayelsa state governor after the supreme court sacked David Lyon less than 24 hours before his inauguration as governor of the state.

 

The apex court hinged its decision on the grounds that Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, his running mate, submitted forged credentials to INEC.