Three witnesses subpoenaed by the Bayelsa state Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, has told the tribunal that the January 9, 2016, gubernatorial election that produced Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, was free, fair and credible and conducted without any violence.
The witnesses, who are paramount traditional rulers from the state, Job David Darius, Ayawe Gomedi Dikko and Mangiri Clifford Nange, from Southern Ijaw, said that the election was free, fair and conducted in conformity with the Electoral Act 2010 and other relevant laws in their region.
Darius, who is the paramount ruler of Emiwari community, in his testimony said that contrary to the claim of the petitioner that the election was marred with irregularities and violence, the election was peaceful and orderly.
The monarch, who voted at Unit 4, Ward 12, tendered his permanent voters’ card that he used to vote in the election to substantiate his evidence that the election was free and fair.
Dikko in his testimony also corroborated the evidence of his colleague insisting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) performed credibly in the conduct of the election which he said was free and fair.
He also tendered his permanent voters’ card to buttress the fact that he voted at polling unit 23 ward 4 of his community.
Nange of Olugbori community, who also testified to the credibility of the January 9, 2016, governorship election insisted that the election was peaceful, credible and without violence.
The monarchs were led in evidence by lead Counsel to the governor, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), and were cross-examined by Counsel to INEC, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), and Counsel to the All Progressive Congress (APC), M. Sebastian and its governorship candidate, Mr. Timipre Silva, who are the petitioners.
Earlier the tribunal overruled the objection raised by the APC candidate against the appearance of the traditional rulers on the ground that the subpoena issued on them was wrong and unnecessary in law.
He contended that the monarch had already deposed to the witness statements on oath and ought not to make fresh evidence outside the earlier statement on oath.
It would be recalled that Governor, Seriake Dickson opened his defence in the petition by APC candidate challenging his election as governor of the state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
This was after INEC closed its case before tribunal insisting that the election that produced Governor Dickson was free, fair and was held in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act.
Its lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), called two witnesses, including a civil servant, Justine Adie, who was the Electoral Officer in Ekeremor Local Government Area and testified that the election was free, fair and in conformity with the Electoral Law.
He told the tribunal under cross examination by Defence Counsel, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), and that of the PDP, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), that no report of violence was recorded during the election.
Adie further admitted that the agents of various political parties including the APC signed the results of the election.
