HON HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON V. CHIEF TIMIPRE MARLIN SYLVA ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (INEC) PEOPLES’ DEMOCRATIC PARTY

KEKERE-EKUN JSC (Delivering the Lead Judgment): We heard this appeal on Tuesday, 8 Novembe r 2016. After considering the record of proceedings, the submissions of learned senior counsel for the appellant and the 1st and 2nd respondents as contained in their respective briefs of argument and oral submissions in adumbration thereof, I dismissed the preliminary objection of the 1st and 2nd respondents and also dismissed the appeal. I promised to give my reasons today, 18 November 2016. I now proceed to do so. The facts that gave rise to this appeal are as follows: the 3rd respondent herein, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted elections into the office of Governor of Bayelsa State on 5 and 6 December 2015 and 9 January 2016. The appellant, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson contested the election on the platform of the 4th respondent, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while the 1st respondent, Chief Timipre Marlin Sylva, contested on the platform of the 2nd respondent,…