By Williams Anuku, Abuja
Duoye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State says he will appeal the ruling of the state election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja that nullified his election as the governor of the state.
He has consequently instructed his lawyers to file the necessary papers.
Diri, who spoke shortly after the tribunal ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wrongly excluded the Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP) governorship candidate in the November 16, 2009 election, said he has implicit confidence in the judiciary that he would triumph in the end.
“We trust in the judiciary and we are appealing the judgement. With God on our side, we will get justice.
“This is a court of first instance and I have instructed our lawyers to file an appeal. We have a right of appeal even up to the Supreme Court,” he said.
The governor urged members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his supporters not to panic and to continue to remain calm and law-abiding.
The Bayelsa State Gubernatorial Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, had earlier nullified his election as the Governor of the state.
The election was nullified based on a petition by the Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party, which argued that it was unlawfully excluded from participating in the election.
The panel held that the election was unlawful due to the exclusion of ADP and its candidate, King George from the November 16 Governorship Election.
The tribunal however ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a bye election within 90 days.