APC, Timipre Sylva Pass Vote of No Confidence on Bayelsa Guber Election Petition Tribunal

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and its gubernatorial candidate in the November 2023 Bayelsa State election, Timipre Sylva, have passed a vote of no confidence on the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

They accused the tribunal, led by Justice Adekunle Adeleye, of bias in its conduct, findings, and decisions, and demanded its immediate disbandment and reconstitution.

In a petition addressed to the President of the Court of Appeal, the APC and Sylva alleged that the tribunal denied them their constitutional right to a fair hearing.

They claimed that the tribunal imposed impossible tasks, such as requiring them to call 234 witnesses within 7 days, and limiting them to calling only 8 witnesses per day, despite agreeing to call 25 witnesses daily.

The petition, signed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Sylvester Emenike Elema, stated that the APC and Sylva were forced to close their cases on February 27 after calling only 49 out of their 234 witnesses.

They argued that this action by the tribunal breached their right to a fair hearing.

Furthermore, the APC and Sylva accused the tribunal of distorting the oral testimony of their witnesses and making findings and decisions that favored the respondents.

They demanded the immediate dissolution of the tribunal and the reconstitution of a new one to ensure unbiased proceedings.

In response, the tribunal chairman, Justice Adeleye, informed the parties’ lawyers of a petition questioning the tribunal members’ neutrality and integrity.

Following brief reactions from the counsels, the tribunal adjourned the matter indefinitely to await the decision of the Court of Appeal President on the allegations raised by the APC and Sylva.

The respondents in the petition are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Governor Douye Diri, Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrujakpo, and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).