Bayelsa PDP Guber Primary: Gov Douye Diri Faces Another Battle With Timi Alaibe

Emmanuel AmudaFebruary 15, 2020

0 2 minutes read

Barely a few hours after Senator Douye Diri was sworn-in as the fifth Bayelsa State governor, the new governor faces another battle his party rival, which may threaten his mandate.

Recall that, the Supreme Court on Thursday, February 13, had sacked the Bayelsa Governor-elect David Lyon and his Deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremieoyo over Degi-Eremieoyo forged certificate and ordered for the withdrawal of his Certificate of Return and issuance of same to Douye who came second in November polls.

The apex court in a unanimous decision by a five-man panel of Justices led by Justice Mary Odili held that Degi-Eremieoyo presented forged certificates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The apex court upheld the November 12, 2019, judgement of a Federal High Court in Abuja, disqualifying Degi-Eremieoyo from participating in the governorship poll.

The apex court, in a unanimous judgment, declared Sen. Douye Diri of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the winner of the November 16, 2019 governorship election after it ruled that he scored the second-highest number of votes and had the required spread.

The new governor has a new date with his arch-rival, Chief Timi Alaibe, who has asked a Federal High Court to declare him as the validly nominated governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

Timi Alaibe, a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the loyalists to the former Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Jonathan.

Timi Alaibe, one of the aspirants who lost out in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary in Bayelsa.

Mr Alaibe is in court challenging the outcome of the PDP governorship primary which he said violated the party’s guidelines.

Newsflash247 online news portal gathered that many in Diri’s camp have been begging Alaibe, to withdraw his case.

But loyalists of Alaibe said their confidence has been buoyed by the nullification of the victory of the APC candidate, David Lyon, by the Supreme Court. They said since Lyon’s fate was sealed as a result of a pre-election matter, the new governor at best may be a caretaker.

Alaibe’s camp is now banking on the Judiciary to restore the mandate of its candidate. They want Diri out.

Meanwhile, governor Diri visited the former President, Gooduluk Jonathan in his President Country home in Otueke immediately after governor inauguration.

Newsflash247 online news portal