By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
The Supreme Court has decisively upheld Senator Douye Diri’s position as Governor of Bayelsa State, rejecting a challenge from APC’s Timipre Sylva.
The court, led by Justice Garba Lawal, branded the appeal as “meritless and an abuse of court process,” adding a layer of finality to the prolonged legal battle. This ruling maintains the status quo established by the Court of Appeal and the Bayelsa Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which had earlier confirmed Diri’s re-election on November 11, 2023.
The tribunal’s dismissal of Sylva’s petition had already highlighted the lack of credible evidence against the election results. With this Supreme Court verdict, all avenues for contesting Diri’s governorship have been exhausted, marking a definitive end to the legal dispute.
