Bayelsa: S/Court should have nullified election – Oshiomhole; Warn Adams not to destabilise Nigeria, Wike tells FG; Be calm, Dickson to all parties

National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) Adams Oshiomhole has faulted the Supreme Court judgment that declared the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Douye Diri as new Governor-elect in Bayelsa.

Oshiomhole, who said this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday while reacting to the apex court’s judgment, said that the Court should have gone ahead to nullify the election.

But in a swift reaction to this position Rivers State Governor,  Nyesom Ezenwo Wike called on the Federal Government to warn the National Chairman of the APC,  to stop making inflammatory remarks capable of destabilising the country.

Governor Wike also berated the APC National Chairman for saying that there will be no swearing-in of the PDP Candidate in Bayelsa State, saying he has no such powers.

This is as outgoing Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa has called on all political parties to be calm and embrace peace over the ruling of the Supreme Court on Bayelsa governorship poll.

Oshiomhole had said that the apex court would have borrowed from a similar case that nullified a governorship election in Bauchi.

“In 1999, there was a similar case in Bauchi involving Gov. Adamu Muazu.

“The court found out that the running mate was not qualified for whatever reason to contest that election and accordingly the Supreme Court nullified the election of Gov Muazu.

“And the Court, as a consequence, directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election.

“I believe it is still the same Supreme Court and therefore we have asked our lawyers to exploit all lawful legal windows to ensure that Bayelsa people have a governor of their choice.

“If the Supreme Court has ruled that David Lyon cannot now be sworn in as the person who has the highest number of votes and the spread to be sworn in, it simply means from tomorrow (Friday, February 15, 2020) there will be no government in Bayelsa state.

“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,” he said.

Wike, in his reaction to Oshiomhole pointed out that “What he is doing in Edo State is not proper and he should not bring it to the rest of the Niger Delta.”

He said that Oshiomhole lacks the power to make pronouncements  after the Supreme Court has ruled on the Bayelsa matter.

“Who is Oshiomhole to determine who has spread in a state? Supreme Court has made a ruling.  It is unfortunate for Oshiomhole to come forward to say that nobody will be sworn in,” he said.

He said that Oshiomhole is making unguarded statements because he has lost the support of APC Governors, hence he wants to curry favour through careless talks.

He said: “It is most unfortunate what Oshiomhole is doing because he wants to retain his position as National Chairman. APC Governors have rejected him that is why he is struggling to prove that he is fighting for the Party.

“He is making statements as if he owns the country.  This is the same way he is carrying on in Edo State   fighting the Governor.

“He believes that he has the forces to cause crisis. He is arrogating powers to himself, which is not good”, he said.

Governor Wike described Oshiomhole as a man who preaches one thing, then goes ahead to practise a different thing. He said the situation in Edo State has exposed Adams Oshiomhole as a godfather who once preached against godfathers.

He said Oshiomhole would not be allowed to destroy the Niger Delta, stressing that the rule of law must continue to prevail at all times.

Dickson, who ceases to be Governor Friday, February 14, 2020, while calling on all parties to be calm said “I commend the Supreme Court judgment; I call for calm among parties. Let us have peace and stability. Everyone should take it in good faith.

“We should not do anything to cause breakdown of law. We must continue to run an inclusive system.

“The ruling court today has brought victory to all of us and we give all credit to God. I hail the Supreme Court as an instrument to deliver the judgment.

“I, therefore, call for reconciliation among us as well as other parties in the state.

“As I will be stepping down on Friday, Feb. 14, I am grateful to God and to the people of Bayelsa.

“I know all of you supported me despite difficulties but I believe we have achieved tremendously in the past eight years.

“I urge you continue your support for me and our dear state,” the outgoing governor stated.