Foremost PDP governorship aspirant in Bayelsa State, Timi Alaibe has given reasons why he took the party to court.

He said; “Brazenly robbed of victory at the governorship primary election through flawed electoral processes, I decided on Friday September 13, 2019, to approach the Federal High Court in Yenogoa Judicial Division, Bayelsa State with an application for cancellation of the result of the election based on cited illegalities arising from procedural flaws.”

“I filed the suit pursuant to Order 3(9) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019, in search of answers to questions bordering on obvious non-adherence to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act 2010, the Peoples Democratic Party Constitution and Election Guidelines, by the State Chapter of the party in the conduct of the Ward Congresses; inclusion of local government council officials in the delegates list and the procedure for inclusion of three ad-hoc delegates.”

“While citing specific sections of relevant laws and guidelines on each of the controversial subject matter raised in the suit for determination, I am asking the court to examine the entire processes that resulted in the primary and rule in my favour because the subsisting laws were undoubtedly violated in desperate moves to impose a pre-determined, hand-picked candidate on the people out of 21 duly recognised aspirants.”

“Recall that my Campaign Organisation had raised objections against what it described as crass disrespect for legal procedures and party guidelines in the build-up to the conduct of the governorship primary election by the State Chapter of the PDP. The objection covered open disobedience to the party constitution and electoral guidelines and the manner in which Ward Congresses were conducted; among others.”

“Specifically, my Campaign Organisation had protested the inclusion of the newly elected council chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors in the delegates list contrary to the provisions of the PDP Constitution; the manner in which electoral and returning officers were picked to favour aspirants endorsed by the already biased leadership of the party in the state, the manner in which the 315 ad-hoc delegates were asked to vote contrary to already established judicial precedents, among other issues.”

“The suit, with reference number FHC/YNG/CS/99/2019, has as defendants: the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Douye Diri, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Embeleakpo Alale for himself and representing the elected local government chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors of the PDP allowed to be delegates at the elective State Congress of the PDP in Bayelsa State held on September 3, 2019.”

“Also joined in the suit as defendant is Doubra Kumokou, for himself and on behalf of the Three Ad-Hoc Delegates allowed to be delegates at the elective State Congress of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bayelsa State”

“My mission is for the court to examine and determine whether the pre-election actions and inactions of the defendants satisfied conditions specified in relevant sections of Nigeria’s Constitution, the Electoral Acts and certain sections of the PDP Constitution. My prayer is that the entire processes be declared unconstitutional and the declaration of Senator Diri as the winner be declared invalid having failed to comply with relevant sections of the laws governing such processes.”

“I am also seeking an order setting aside the purported submission of Senator Diri’s name to INEC by the PDP as its candidate in the governorship election coming up on November 16, 2019 in view of the several infractions committed against the provisions of the cited laws and guidelines issued with respect to the elective special congress held on September 3, 2019.”

“In view of this, I earnestly want the court to order the conduct of fresh primary election for the nomination and sponsorship of the candidate for the governorship election in Bayelsa State.”

“I am therefore appealing to all Bayelsans to remain calm. We are working hard to be on the ballot on November 16. God bless you.”