Bayelsa Gov. Race: Court of Appeal Dismisses Sylva’s Suit Against Dickson

The Court of Appeal today dismissed the suit filed by former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva in his bid to unseat Governor Seriake Dickson at the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The Court of Appeal dismissed the suit for lack of jurisdiction to adjudicate on the matter.

This is about the fourth time Sylva would be challenging the candidacy of Governor Dickson as the flag bearer of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2012 governorship election in the State.

Applauding the Judiciary for its forthrightness in upholding justice, Governor Dickson congratulated the third arm of Government for not allowing itself to be used as a tool to subvert justice, adding that, the Judiciary has remained the last hope of the common man.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had in March last year also dismissed the suit filed by one Austin Ogionwo challenging the election of Seriake Dickson as the governor of Bayelsa State.

Delivering judgement on the suit, Justice Adamu Bello held that the plaintiff lacked the locus standi to challenge the outcome of the primary election held on 19 November, 2011 having failed to participate in the said election.

The court also ruled that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has the right to conduct primary elections and also field any candidate of its choice for the purpose of any general election.