FOLASADE AYODEJI OJO, JCA (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This appeal is against the Judgment of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, Bayelsa State sitting at Abuja, Coram: Muhammed 1. Sirajo, J; Yunusa Musa, J. and S.M. Owodunni, J in Petition No.: EPT/BY/GOV/01/2020 between: BARRISTER EBIZIMO DIRIYAI v. (1) INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (2) SENATOR DUOYE DIRI (3) SENATOR LAWRENCE OBORAWHARIEWO EWHRUDJAKPO (4) PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP) delivered on the 7th of August, 2020 wherein the Tribunal dismissed the Petition filed by the instant Appellant in its entirety.
At the Bayelsa State Governorship election conducted on Saturday, 15th of November, 2019, the Appellant was nominated and sponsored by the Accord Party as its Candidate for election into the office of Governor of the State. The 1st Respondent, Independent National Electoral Commission was the electoral umpire. The 4th Respondent, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nominated and sponsored the 2nd and 3rd…