Court Affirms Dickson’s Election

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed the suit filed by one Austin Ogionwo challenging the election of Seriake Dickson as the governor of Bayelsa State.

Delivering judgement on the suit, Justice Adamu Bello held that the plaintiff lacked the locus standi to challenge the outcome of the primary election held on 19 November, 2011 having failed to participate in the said election.

The court also ruled that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has the right to conduct primary elections and also field any candidate of its choice for the purpose of any general election.

Justice Adamu added that the mere purchase of an expression of interest form or a nomination form by an aspirant does not make such an aspirant a candidate in an election which he refused to participate in.

The plaintiff,  Mr. Ogionwo had approached the Federal High Court praying the court to nullify the primary election which produced Governor Dickson as the candidate of the PDP in the February 12, 2012 governorship election in Bayelsa State.

Although the counsel to the plaintiff walked out of the court shortly after the judgment, counsel to the PDP and Governor Dickson praised the verdict of the court, saying it is victory for democracy.