Bayelsa: Adegboruwa, other Nigerians react to Supreme Court sacking of Lyon

Human Rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Ebun Adegboruwa, on Thursday joined other Nigerians to react to the Supreme Court ruling nullifying the election of David Lyon as the governor of Bayelsa State, giving the victory to Senator Diri Duoye, saying that the people should be allowed to elect their leaders.

Adegboruwa, said leaders should not be allowed to emerge from the courts.

This is even as a cross section of Nigerians have taken to social media to air their views on the Supreme Court judgement which sacked the APC, candidate, Lyon sacked as Bayelsa Governor-elect.

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Recall that the Supreme Court had nullified the election of Bayelsa State Governor-elect, David Lyon.

A five-man panel of the Supreme Court led by Justice Mary Peter-Odili had also declared Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), winner of the election.

Justice Peter-Odili ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Lyon and immediately issue same to Diri, who came second in the election.

However, Adegboruwa said allowing courts to pick leaders would circumvent the will of Nigerians.

In a statement he signed, the activist said: “The Constitution states clearly that sovereignty belongs to the people. The concept of election is to allow the people choose their leaders freely.

“We must avoid situations where leaders emerge through the courts, as that will be circumventing the will of the people. Let us allow the people to choose their leaders.

“These tribunal/court cases in Imo, Bayelsa, Zamfara, etc, constitute serious indictment of INEC and the political parties.

“There is no legacy that the present administration has bestowed upon us as a nation in the area of electoral reforms, but rather things have gotten worse.

“Having suffered electoral injustice in his previous efforts, it is shocking that the President has retained and continued to benefit from obviously flawed electoral processes. Very unfortunate indeed.”

Also a cross section of Nigerians have taken to social media to give their views as they react to the e Supreme Court ruling.

The Supreme Court panel of justices led by Justice Mary Odili in a unanimous judgement held that Degi-Eremieoyo, the deputy governorship candidate of the APC presented a forged certificate to INEC.

In the lead judgement read by Justice Ejembi Eko, the court upheld the November 12, 2019, judgement of a Federal High Court in Abuja, which disqualified Degi-Eremieoyo from participating in the governorship poll.

The apex court ruled that since Degi-Eremieoyo shared a joint ticket with the governor-elect, his disqualification invalidated their nomination by the APC.

The apex court then ordered INEC to issue fresh Certificates of Return to the PDP being the party with the next highest votes.

Reacting on Twitter; @Israeloflife “The Supreme Court has removed an APC Governor and replaced same with a PDP man. There’d be no attacks on the judiciary now. There’d be no 1 Million man march against the decision. Democracy isn’t in danger now. Surugede is the dance of the spirits.”

Also @Uncle_Ajala he said, “See how the APC Deputy Governor to Lyon, stopped him from becoming the Governor of Bayelsa State, by presenting fake credentials according to Supreme court. May we not work with someone that will ruin our hard work and achievements.”

@Mayrocnigltd said, “Nigerians seem to have forgotten that Jonathan visited Buhari recently, what do you think the meeting was for? You think it is to seek advice from Goodluck about Boko Haram, they have sealed deal of scratch my back, I scratch yours,” while @Dinerojay22 said “Let them scrap INEC since Supreme Court is now deciding who wins elections. INEC is losing its credibility everyday in the hands of our Judiciary.”

@Olufemiloye “I was about to say democracy will now be in danger or not, depending on which side the politicians and their supporters are. Bayelsa judgement is as interesting as Imo judgement to me. And those who condemned the Supreme Court for the Imo will now commend it, and vice versa.”

Also @Adebanquie said, “Tanko-led Supreme Court will suddenly be praised with all superlatives by PDP and its sympathizers.” @Waliyadeniran “Where the Legislature and the Executive have failed in their responsibilities at ensuring free and fair elections, the Supreme Court, being a policy Court, at every given opportunity must stop at nothing in ensuring there is sanity in our electoral process.”

@75enoma “The Supreme Court again. Clear road for PDP in their home state, Bayelsa, congratulations.” @MMOloyede “What an unexpected Judgement from the Supreme Court. PDP, is democracy still on trial? While @FreeNigerians it said “The Supreme Court finally have enough courage to do what is right.”