SAN FRANCISCO, August 16, (THEWILL) –Â The Bayelsa Governorship Election Tribunal on Monday nullified the election of Governor Douye Diri. The Tribunal also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to order a fresh election within 90 days.
The verdict follows the petition by the Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP) challenging the victory of Governor Diri in the November 19 governorship election. The ANDP claimed that the party was unlawfully excluded from the election.
In a split judgement of two-one, the three-man panel ruled that INEC does not have the power to disqualify any candidate for an election.
Justice Musa described the action of INEC to exclude the ANDP from the Bayelsa Governorship Election as illegal.
