The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will effect the Supreme Court ruling on Bayelsa governorship election once it is served with the certified true copy of the judgement.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye, said this on Thursday in Abuja.
Okoye said while INEC was bound to obey court orders or judgements including that of Supreme Court, the commission could not act base on reports from radio reports or newspapers.
“It is when we receive the certified true copy of the judgement that we have clear understanding of what the court tells us to do and we will give effect to the judgement of the supreme court.
”All we have heard and seen as of today are just newspapers reports. We are waiting for our lawyers who are part of the proceedings, and certified true copy of the judgement to enable us study and give effect to it.
“INEC has no power not to implement the judgement of Supreme Court. We are waiting for the certified copy of the judgment so that we can give effect to what the apex court want us to do.
“We don’t have any personal interest on the judgement of the Supreme Court. Our interest and competence is just to give effect to the judgement ,” Okoye said.
The Supreme Court on Thursday sacked David Lyon and Sen. Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, as governor and deputy governor elect in the November 16, 2019 Bayelsa governorship election.
Justice Ejembi Eko, who delivered the lead judgement reinstated the November 12, 2019, judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja that disqualified Degi-Eremieoyo from participating in the governorship poll.
The court held that the trial court was right in finding the deputy guilty of presenting false information to INEC.
The Justice Mary Odili-led panel held that no person shall be qualified to contest election if he presented false information for the purpose of election.
The apex court ordered that the certificate of return be withdrawn immediately from the governor and his deputy and be issued to the candidate with the second highest votes in the November 16, 2019 election.
Meanwhile, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has congratulated the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Douye Diri, and his running mate, Mr Lawrence Ewhrujakpor, over the Supreme Court judgment on the Bayelsa governorship election.
Abubakar, in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, also congratulated the PDP.
“The Lords Justices have given us another opportunity to show Nigerians that power belongs to the people, and we must make good use of this opportunity,”he said.
Abubakar said that he received the verdict of the court, declaring the candidate of the PDP, Diri, as the duly elected governor of the state, with gladness.
“Diri had cause to visit me before the elections, and received my blessings and counsel.
“I am fully satisfied that he has what it takes to make Bayelsa the ‘glory of all lands. His intellect, personality and character, are a credit to Bayelsa and the PDP, ” he said.
Abubakar called on all the people of Bayelsa to make peace with the recent past, and embrace the future together, united in the mission to transform the state into a haven of peace and prosperity.
“Finally, I urge the supreme court to show consistency in its judgments and find the resolve to always deliver just judgments no matter whose ox is gored.
“The people of Nigeria are behind the apex court in whatever they do to free themselves from the dominance of dictatorial forces,” he added.
