Apex Court Sacks Lyon As Governor Elect Of Bayelsa State

The Supreme Court has sacked the governor-elect of Bayelsa State, David Lyon and his Deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremieoyo.

The apex court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to issue fresh certificates to the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party with the next highest votes and with the required constitutional spread of votes in the results of the election.

According to a five-member panel of justices of the apex court led by Justice Mary Odili, in a unanimous judgement on Thursday, held that Degi-Eremieoyo presented a forged certificate to the commission.

The court held that the false information in Form CF 001 submitted by Degi-Eremieoyo to INEC for the purpose of the November 16, 2019, governorship election in the state, was a fundamental nature.

In the lead judgement read by Justice Ejembi Eko upheld the November 12, 2019, Judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja that disqualified Degi-Eremieoyo from participating in the governorship poll.

The apex court held that since Degi-Eremieoyo shared a joint ticket with the governor-elect, his disqualification invalidated their nomination by the All Progressive Congress, APC.