Less than two weeks before the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa, a new legal challenge seeking the disqualification of Governor Douye Diri and his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, began before Justice Nwite at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The court, however, postponed the hearing of the suit until March 18 due to a backlog of cases before Justice Nwite.
The lawsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1448/23, was initiated by Blessing Clement Azibanagbal, a Bayelsan woman, through her lawyer, Ifeanyi Nwosu. It named Diri, Ewhrudjakpo, the PDP, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.
Azibanagbal seeks an order directing INEC to remove Diri and Ewhrudjakpo as PDP’s candidates for the November 11 poll, as well as a perpetual injunction against further publication of their names by INEC.
Additionally, she questions Ewhrudjakpo’s eligibility as deputy governor under the PDP, alleging he has multiple names without proof of identity.
The PDP, represented by A.K. Ajibade, SAN, filed a preliminary objection, arguing that Azibanagbal’s case is time-barred and lacks a reasonable cause of action against the defendants.
The party contends that the suit pertains to pre-election matters and was filed beyond the constitutional time limit.
INEC previously declared Diri the winner of the poll, defeating candidates like Timipre Sylva of the All Progressive Congress (APC). The legal battle adds complexity to the political landscape in Bayelsa as the election approaches.