The Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. Kombowei Benson, has stepped down from his post in obedience to the December 9 Court of Appeal ruling which declared his election null and void.
Benson’s dismissal brings to five the number of members of the State Assembly sacked by the Election Petition Tribunal in the state.
His decision to step down from the position of Speaker, was noticeable at Tuesday’s sitting with the Deputy Speaker, Abraham Igonbere (Brass Constituency 3) presiding over the House’s consideration of the 2016 Appropriation Bill submitted to it by the state Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson.
The Court of Appeal ordered that the election of Hon. Benson Friday Konbowei, as the winner of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly seat for Southern Ijaw Constituency for elections held on April 11, 2015 was null and void.
The Court of Appeal, presided over by Hon. Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, Hon. Justice Ejembi Eko and Hon. Justice Stephen Jonah Adam, ordered that, “it is hereby ordered that fresh elections shall be conducted in all the wards of the constituency within 90 days from today except in Olodiama Ward four and the polling unit 20-30 in Foropa Ward four.
“These results from Olodiama Ward four and polling unit 20-30 in Foropa Ward four shall upon the fresh elections in other wards as ordered, thereafter be duly collated and final declaration/return made.”
The APC candidate in the State House of Assembly election, Mr Ebifieghe Orunimigha, appealed against the ruling of the Election Petition Tribunal (EPT), at the Court of Appeal after losing at the EPT.
