Diri’s Woes Far From Over As He Faces Alaibe’s Challenge

The drama in Bayelsa State may not be over yet, as Governor Douye Diri, who was sworn-in on Friday, has a fresh battle to face with Timi Alaibe.

Timi and Diri contested for the Peoples Democratic Party ticket in the primary and Diri was declared the winner by the party.

In SUIT No: FHC/YNG/CS/99/2019 filed at the Federal High Court in Yenagoa , Alaibe asked the Court to declare him as the validly nominated governorship candidate of the PDP. He joined the PDP, Diri and two others as defendants.

Alaibe complained of irregularities.

Diri: Alaibe’s challenge looms

But Justice Jane Inyang of the Federal High Court in Yenagoa, announced on 15 October that the case has been transferred to Abuja, on the orders of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.

Timi had complained about security issues and the chief judge of the Federal High Court moved the case to Owerri, to be handled by Inyang.

On the 8th of November 2019, when the matter came up, proceedings were stalled as the service of processes has not been completely exchanged between parties.

Read Also: Bayelsa: We Are Going To Court – Oshiomhole

Consequently, the matter was adjourned again till 15 November 2019 for final argument. This was the eve of the Bayelsa election.

After the parties left Court, Timi Alaibe wrote another petition against the judge this time alleging that he does not have confidence in her.

It was for this reason the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court again directed Justice Jane Inyang to respond to the petition against her .

The matter was therefore adjourned indefinitely to enable the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court conclude investigations.

It is not clear where the case will be heard yet, whether it will go back to Owerri or Abuja or whether it will be ruled out of time.

Many in Diri’s camp have been begging Alaibe, a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), to withdraw his case, The Nation claimed.

But loyalists of Alaibe said their confidence has been buoyed by the nullification of the victory of the APC candidate, David Lyon, by the Supreme Court.

AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK