The All Progressive Congress (APC) has said with the verdict of the Supreme Court on Bayelsa State governorship election, the democracy of the country is in danger.
The apex court had sacked the candidate of the party David Lyon, in the last year November 16 election, citing false documents submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by his deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo.
“Where justice and democracy thrive on the altar of technicalities, it constitutes a danger to our democracy. Nobody has raised issues whether David Lyon and his running mates won an overwhelming majority,” Adams Oshiomhole, the national chairman of the APC said at the party’s secretariat Thursday evening.
“PDP candidate does not have one-quarter of the total lawful votes cast in that election in two-thirds of the eight local government areas in Bayelsa State.
“Therefore, from the facts available to us and in due consultation with our lawyers, it is clear that no candidate meets the requirements of the Supreme Court, which means no one can be sworn in legally tomorrow unless there is deliberate attempt to abuse the legal process.
“We have accordingly asked our lawyers to look at all the windows that exist in law and take steps to ensure that the will of the people of Bayelsa State is not undermined on the altar of technicalities.
“In 1999, there was a similar case in Bauchi involving Governor Adamu Muazu. The court found that his running mate was not qualified for whatever reason to contest that election, and accordingly, the Supreme Court nullified the election of Governor Adamu Muazu and the court as a consequence directed INEC to conduct a fresh election,” Mr Oshiomhole added.
Meanwhile, the PDP has described the comments of the former Edo governor as an inconsequential ranting.
