The Supreme Court on Thursday nullified the election of Bayelsa State governor-elect, David Lyon, and his running mate, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo.
Justice Mary Peter-Odili, leading a five-man panel, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to them.
The court also ordered INEC to issue fresh certificates to the candidates of the party with the next highest votes and with the required constitutional spread of votes in the results of the election held on November 16, 2019.
Candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Douye Diri, and his running mate, Lawrence Ewhruojakpo, scored the next highest votes.
Reading the lead judgement, Justice Ejembi Ekwo disqualified Mr Degi-Eremienyo as a candidate in the election.
A Federal High Court in Abuja had on November 12, 2019, disqualified Degi-Eremienyo in the election for submitting forged certificates to INEC.
The apex court upheld the judgement, ruling that Degi-Eremienyo’s disqualification had infected his joint ticket with Lyon.
