PAUL ADAMU GALINJE, J.C.A (Delivering the Leading Judgment): On the 12th October 2011, this court dismissed this appeal and reserved reasons for that decision to a date to be communicated to the parties. The reasons for the decision are hereby given today. But before the reasons are given, I seek to set out in brief the facts of the case that gave rise to this appeal
The first Appellant herein was a candidate sponsored by the 2nd appellant in an election into the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. The election was conducted by the first Respondent to elect a member representing Ekeremor Constituency III of the State on the 26th April, 2011.
The 2nd-10 Respondents also contested the election under the platform of different political parties listed against their names in the, appellant's petition at the lower court and in the notice of appeal filed on the 3rd of September 2011. At the conclusion of the election and for reasons which are not relevant in this appeal the returning officer, D…