Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, for alleged electoral fraud in the November 11, 2023, governorship election.
Governor Diri’s comments came after the election petition tribunal dismissed the APC and Sylva’s petition challenging his victory, citing a lack of merit.
Governor Diri spoke on Tuesday night at the King of Glory Chapel in Government House, Yenagoa, during a thanksgiving service upon his return from Abuja.
He highlighted that during the tribunal’s cross-examinations, APC witnesses weakened their own case with frivolous claims and inconsistent evidence.
Diri also recounted how a former Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tolani Alausa, who served as a key witness for the APC, tarnished his own reputation by presenting false evidence and fake INEC documents.
Although no longer the Commissioner of Police in the state, Alausa testified at the tribunal to support the APC candidate’s fraudulent activities.
The governor criticized the APC state chairman, Chief Dennis Otiotio, for unprofessional conduct, noting that the tribunal reprimanded him for his actions.
Diri called on the judiciary to impose heavy sanctions on those who abuse the court process with frivolous claims in an attempt to subvert the will of the people.
“During one of the sittings, our lawyers scanned an INEC form presented by the APC and found it was printed in Yenagoa.
The INEC counsel established during cross-examination that genuine INEC result sheets contain barcodes, which the APC’s documents lacked,” Diri explained.
He further criticized the role of a Commissioner of Police who, despite being transferred out of the state for misconduct, returned to supervise the election through the influence of the APC candidate and later served as a star witness for the APC.
“The tribunal effectively dismissed their case, but not before addressing each of their points in detail. We are now awaiting their appeal,” Diri added.
Governor Diri described the litigation by Sylva as a deceptive plot by those attempting to steal the election and then falsely claiming a miscarriage of justice by the tribunal.
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