Former governorship aspirant in Bayelsa State, Timi Alaibe, says he has accepted the judgment of the Supreme Court dismissing his appeal against the emergence of Governor Duoye Diri as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in last year’s election in the state.
Supreme Court had on Tuesday dismissed Alaibe’s suit after he withdrew the appeal.
The apex court ruled that the dispute in the appeal was a pre-election matter which was within the exclusive preserve of the political party and could therefore not be challenged by members of such a political party before any court of law.
The former PDP aspirant had sought redress in courts after losing the governorship primary to Diri.
Alaibe in a statement on Wednesday by his personal assistant, Ogio Enize, urged his supporters to also accept the verdict of the apex court.
According to the statement, “The merits of the appeal and the fundamental issues regarding the eligibility of the delegates that infested the Primary Election process was not determined and thus remained unresolved.
“Rather, the unquestionable though unsatisfying position of the apex court is that in accordance with existing laws and precedence, if complaints were outside the scope contemplated under Section 87(9) of the Electoral Act that provides for right of action in pre-election matters.
“While our supporters may feel justifiably disappointed by the outcome of the case based on the supremacy of the Court’s pronouncement, we have accepted it in good faith, however painful.
“We feel justified that from the trial court to the apex court, the repulsive processes that led to the Primary were never endorsed by any of the courts.”
The statement further stated, “Citing specific sections of relevant laws and guidelines on each of the controversial subject matter raised in the suit for determination, Alaibe asked the court to examine the entire processes that resulted in the Primaries and rule in his favour because the subsisting laws were undoubtedly violated in desperate moves to impose a pre-determined hand-picked candidate on the people out of 21 duly recognised aspirants.
“Prior to this, his Campaign Organisation had raised objections against what it described as crass disrespect for legal procedures and party guidelines in the build-up to the conduct of the governorship Primary Election by the State Chapter of the PDP. The objection covered open disobedience to the Party Constitution and Electoral Guidelines and the manner in which Ward Congresses were conducted; among others.
“In spite of the outcome of the case, we feel satisfied by our action because when criminality is ignored or allowed to continue unchallenged; those responsible for such actions and even the uninformed observers could accept it as a way of life. It also has the capacity to encourage further lawlessness.
“To our supporters, we appeal for calm. The Supreme Court has spoken, and as law- abiding citizens, we must at this point move on and draw the curtain on this particular issue. We have followed the due process of the law; and can go no further.
“The point must however be made that the court action was not directed at any particular individual or group of persons. It was against a twisted process that tried to confer on or dress lawlessness in legal attire. Our joy is that we refused to keep silence in the face of tyranny.
“For avoidance of doubt, our challenge was principally the process leading to the nomination and sponsorship of a candidate of the party, orchestrated deliberately to meet a pre-determined end in favour of a particular person contrary to the express provisions of the PDP Constitution. Our challenge was based on obvious lack of a level-playing ground and the brazen violation of a subsisting court order directing the mode of conduct of the primaries.
“Therefore, in the true spirit of political brotherhood and friendship, irrespective of the uncharitable processes and the outcome of our legal action, Chief Ndutimi Alaibe hereby congratulates and extends his unreserved hand of fellowship to Senator Douye Diri on his emergence as the Governor of Bayelsa.”