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The Supreme Court has affirmed the re-election of Senator Duoye Diri as the Governor of Bayelsa State, dismissing the appeal filed by Timipre Sylva, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, following the November 11, 2023, off-cycle election.
The decision, delivered by a five-member panel headed by Justice Lawal Garba on August 23, reinforces the legitimacy of Governor Diri’s leadership, positioning him as a leader committed to advancing the well-being of Bayelsa’s people in accordance with government policies.
The panel’s judgment supported the earlier ruling by the Court of Appeal on July 15, which determined that Sylva’s appeal constituted an abuse of the court process due to his filing of two separate notices of appeal.
The Supreme Court cited the 1999 Constitution, emphasizing that the APC candidate had only one right to appeal the Tribunal’s judgment.
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By filing multiple appeals, Sylva was found to have violated legal protocol, leading to the dismissal of his case for lacking merit.
Governor Duoye Diri, representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), securing 175,196 votes to defeat Sylva, who garnered 110,108 votes.
With the Supreme Court’s ruling, Governor Diri’s mandate is reaffirmed, enabling him to continue his work toward making Bayelsa a better place.
His administration is expected to focus on policies that benefit citizens and promote sustainable development, ensuring that his leadership aligns with the broader objectives of good governance.
The court’s decision further strengthens the democratic process, upholding the choice of the people for a leader who is committed to their progress.
