The stage is set for today’s governorship by-election in Sokoto and Bayelsa states with the police high command promising to deploy 10 units of the mobile police force and thousands of the regular police to provide security in both states.
Today’s elections, would hold simultaneously in both states.
It would also test INEC’S organisational ability.
It will be recalled that the governorship seats in Bayelsa and Sokoto states became vacant following the judgments of the Courts of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt and Kaduna, which revoked the mandate of the two former governors; Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State and Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko of Sokoto State, respectively
In Sokoto State for instance, the Sokoto State Election Tribunal had earlier upheld Wamakko’s election before the Court of Appeal removed him from office.
The Appeal Court, while nullifying the former governor’s election, also ordered that the Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Salame, be sworn in as the acting governor, and a fresh election conducted in the state within 90 days.
Delivering the judgment in an appeal brought before the court against the ruling of the lower tribunal by Dingyadi, Justice Ahmed Belgore maintained there were substantial irregularities in the election even as he pointed out that Wammako was not qualified to contest the 2007 gubernatorial elections in the state.
Aside, the legal luminary ruled that his (Wamakko’s) nomination for the election by the PDP was contrary to Section 187 (1) of the 1999 Constitution.
The Section states that AIn any election to which the foregoing provisions of this part of this Chapter relate a candidate for the office of Governor of a State shall not be deemed to have been validly nominated for such office unless he nominates another candidate as his associate for his running for the office of Governor, who is to occupy the office of Deputy Governor; and that candidate shall be deemed to have been duly elected to the office of Deputy Governor if the candidate who nominated him is duly elected as Governor in accordance with the said provisions.
The tribunal thus directed the Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly to take over pending a fresh election which should be held within 90 days.
In today’s royal rumble, only candidates who contested the April 14 governorship election are eligible to take part in the polls.
Though the DPP had gone to court to stop the PDP from fielding stopping elections and Wamakko from contesting, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja struck the suit.
Between Wammako and Bafarawa
One thing that is certain about political situation in Sokoto, is the renewal of political rivalry.
There is believed to be some kind of animosity between Bafarawa and Wammako.
At the same time, the moment to prove the political prowess of the duo will be brought to fore. Everything will be thrown into the battle after today’s polls.
Chief Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State, was sacked from office after the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt reverted the ruling of the Bayelsa State Election Petition Tribunal which had until now upheld his (Sylva) election.
Gubernatorial candidate of the Action Congress (AC), Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, had filed a petition against the election of Sylva, arguing that the latter’s election was contrary to the provisions of Electoral Act of 2006. The Appeal Court held that Timi Sylva’s mandate could not stand based on election irregularities.
He thus directed that the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. Werinipre Seibarugu be sworn in as the Acting Governor, pending when INEC would conduct fresh polls in the state within 90 days.
Soon after the ruling, some pressure groups had called on the national leadership of the PDP especially the Vice President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, to substitute Sylva for another candidate.
This prayer was not answered as more support came for Sylva. Even the acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr Timi Alaibe threw his wieght behind him (Sylva).
As it is now, the sacked governor is doing everything possible to ensure that he returns to Creek Haven after today’s polls.
Warning residents of the state to be law abiding during the election he said �They should conduct themselves properly and think twice before embarking on any unlawful act. Needless to say that anyone caught with arms or other dangerous weapons will not be spared but face the full wrath of the law, �.
The Assistant Inspector General of police said that the 12 young men he paraded were caught with arms and ammunition near the SSS office in Asaba on the eve of the local government elections in Delta State.
Among weapons recovered by the police from the thugs were four AK 49 sophisticated military rifles, three magazines and 30 rounds of live ammunition.
He said the suspects would soon be charged to court, and wondered what would have happened to innocent lives had the police not arrested the suspects.
He thanked the government of Delta State for the support extended to the police during the election.