There was wide jubilation at the Supreme Court on Friday after the apex court upheld the victories of the Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo State governors at the November 2023 gubernatorial polls.The apex court began the hearing with the Bayelsa State Appeal during which its five-member panel in a unanimous decision affirmed Gov Duoye Diri’s victory, much to the admiration of his Peoples Democratic Party supporters.The panel headed by Justice Lawal Garba dismissed the appeal filed by the All Progressive Congress candidate, Timipre Sylva, and affirmed the Court of Appeal’s decision delivered on July 15, which had also nullified the appeal for lacking in merit and an abuse of Court process.

In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Baba Idris, the court resolved all the issues raised for determination in the appeal against the appellants.The court held that the appeal was without merit and dismissed it.The Supreme Court also dismissed the appeal by the Labour Party and its candidate, Athan Achonu for being unmeritorious.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying that his victories at the courts have renewed his hope in the judiciary and in democracy.He said no matter the level of hardship in the country, the forthrightness of the judiciary has given him assurance that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and called on Nigerians to be hopeful for a better country.Speaking on what people of the state should expect in his second term, Governor Diri said his administration had started well and that it will consolidate on the gains so far made and even introduce new programmes and policies that will benefit the people.

The Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Ebiowou Koku-Obiyai, described the victory as a thing of joy saying they have been vindicated.“It’s a thing of joy for us. We’re happy as a state. Eventually, we have been vindicated. We voted massively for the governor,” she stated.She said the judgment has put to rest all the challenges and that Bayelsans should expect progress in terms of infrastructural development and policies.Doubara Atasi, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said they are happy thanking God for the victory.Atasi said on hearing news of the judgment, the deputy governor and a large number of party faithful and supporters who had gathered to him started a praise session at the chapel in his office in Government House.He echoed the governor and his deputy saying the judgment is a victory to God and a victory for democracy.“Yes, we are happy. There is jubilation. As our bosses have already said, its victory to God and victory for democracy.”