Bayelsa: INEC declares Governor Diri, his deputy’s seats at Senate vacant

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared vacant two seats in the 9th Senate.

Nigerian Tribune reports that at a meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Friday, February 21, the chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, said bye-elections would be conducted in Bayelsa Central and Bayelsa West senatorial districts.

Wothappen.com gathered that he told the gathering of RECs and newsmen that the development was a sequel to notification by the president of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan.

It was revealed that Senator Douye Diri from Bayelsa Central has since emerged as governor on Friday, February 14, following the judgment of the Supreme Court which voided the victory of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), David Lyon and his deputy, Senator Biobarakuma Degi.

Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo representing Bayelsa West has equally emerged as deputy governor to Senator Diri on a joint ticket of the PDP.

Yakubu, who gave the disclosure, said the commission would soon fix a date for the election in the south-south state.

He said: “In compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court, the commission has presented certificates of return in respect of the governorship elections in Imo and Bayelsa states. In the case of Bayelsa state, both the governor and deputy governor were serving senators.

The INEC chairman gave Saturday, March 14, for pending bye-elections into certain federal constituencies in Kwara, Jigawa and Plateau states.