There is again a renewed tension in Bayelsa State over the decision by the former Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri to file an application for the review of the ruling dismissing his suit against the All Progressive Congress (APC) and its flag bearer, Chief David Lyon.
The Supreme Court had on Tuesday, February 11 dismissed Lokpobiri ‘s appeal filed at the apex court praying it to upturn the Court of Appeal judgment which affirmed Lyon as the governorship candidate of the APC.
A five-man panel of the court led by Justice Mary Peter Odili had unanimously dismissed the appeal filed by Lokpobiri.
Justice Inyang Okoro who delivered the lead ruling affirmed the January 11, 2020 judgment of the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal which held that Lokpobiri’s suit challenging Lyon’s victory in the September 4 primary election was filed out of time.
But DAILY POST learnt on Monday from some members of his legal team that Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, had through his counsel, approached the apex court with an application calling for a review of the February 11 judgment.
DAILY POST also gathered that a confirmation notice was reportedly sent out by one Ukor Michael Akan on behalf of the Hon Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court to all the parties, indicating that the application for review would be held on Tuesday, March 24.
“Please kindly note that your case SC/CV/35/2020, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri VS All Progressives Congress is slated for Tuesday 24/03/2020/
Further Investigation also revealed that the call for review is causing ripples as Lokpobiri has refused all entreaties by PDP leaders in the state to drop his review application.
Lokpobiri was also said to have rebuffed all attempts to pacify him with cabinet positions in the bid to drop this decision to approach the Supreme Court for a review of the judgment.
He had filed a suit at the Federal High Court, sitting in Yenagoa challenging the emergence of Lyon as the governorship candidate, asking the court to declare the winner of the APC governorship primary election, having complied with the guidelines of the party.
The presiding judge, Jane Inyang had, however, on November 14, 2019 ruled that the APC did not conduct a valid governorship primary election.
Dissatisfied with the judgment, Lokpobiri had approached the Appeal Court, Port Harcourt to upturn the High Court ruling but the three–man panel led by Justice Isaiah Olufemi instead affirmed Lyon as the duly nominated candidate of the APC, ruling that Lokpobiri’s suit was statute barred.
Lokpbiri had filed an appeal to the Supreme Court which dismissed his case on February 11.
