The All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Timipre Sylva, are making bold moves in the aftermath of the November 11, 2023, gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State. They have taken a stand, asking members of the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to recuse themselves from the hearing of their petition against the election of Governor Douye Diri.

In a dramatic turn of events on Monday, APC and Sylva expressed their lack of confidence in the Tribunal as currently constituted under Justice Adekunle Adeleye. They firmly believe that they will not receive a fair hearing or justice in this setting.

Their plea for recusal is grounded in the principles outlined in the Electoral Act 2022 and the 1999 Constitution. The motion, presented by Senior Advocates of Nigeria Onyechi Ikpeazu and Ahmed Raji, calls for a reevaluation of the proceedings that have taken place from February 14 to February 27, 2024.

Should the Tribunal members refuse to step down, APC and Sylva demand that the record of proceedings accurately reflect the testimony of witnesses. The respondents in this high-stakes petition, marked EPT/BY/Gov/04/2023, include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Governor Douye Diri, Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrujakpo, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

During the hearing, representatives for the respondents vehemently opposed the request for recusal, setting the stage for a legal battle of epic proportions.

As the saga unfolds, the world watches with bated breath to see how this political drama will play out in the heart of Bayelsa State. Stay tuned for more updates on this gripping story.