Election Petition: Pressure Mounts on Vijah Opuama to Withdraw As Tribunal Fixes Monday for Prehearing

The Bayelsa state governorship petition tribunal sitting in Abuja has fixed the prehearing of the petition filed on the 21 February 2020 on Monday, 27 April 2020.

This is following the order of substituted service served on His Excellency, Douye Diri and his Deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who are the 3rd and 4th Respondents respectively in the petition filed by Vijah Eldred Opuama to be served through substituted means.

NaijaLive Tv can confirm that the order has since been effected and parties have filed and exchanges their pleadings.

It would be recalled that the flag bearer of Liberation Movement (LM) in the last governorship elections in Bayelsa State, Vijah Eldred Opuama, approached the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, seeking for the disqualification of the newly sworn-in Deputy Governor, Mr. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

Opuama, in a petition he filed through his counsels, Pius Danba, Aluzu Ebikebuna; and Ebi Robert, further prayed the court to cancel the November 16, 2019 governorship election and order a fresh poll alleging that the election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to comply with the 1999 Constitution.

Opuama listed INEC, the PDP, Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri and his Deputy, Lawrence Erwhudjakpo, as respondents to the petition.

However, investigations show that pressure is beginning to mount on Opuama to withdraw his petition. According to a source in the government house who spoke in anonymity, the government is doing everything possible to ensure that there is an end to litigation with respect to the outcome of the governorship election in the state. “As a government, we are trying to see how we can build a relationship, forge partnership and work together because governance of Bayelsa is a big thing. That is why we have been in talks with our brothers to see how they can join us in this prosperity government to move Bayelsa forward.

“We have extended our hand of fellowship and are in talks with some of the petitioners and their party and we are pleased with their responses so far. The government has also promised to ‘mitigate’ expenses in order to consolidate friendship and partnership in the interest of Bayelsa and our people.”

Opuama, confirmed with our correspondent that contact was made with him to withdraw his petition. Speaking through his lawyer, Ebikebuna Aluzu, Opuama confirmed he has been contacted several times to withdraw his petition in the interest of Bayelsa state.

According to him “it is normal for parties to take an out of court approach to resolve their issues. I can confirm that my client is under serious pressure to withdraw his matter.

“Those who are asking him to withdraw his matter say they are doing so in the interest of Bayelsa state. Ironically, it is thesame interest of Bayelsa state that my client is at the tribunal in the first place.

“My client, Is a principled man. There is no compromise that will make him withdraw his petition. There is nothing personal or vindictive in approaching the courts. He is in court for posterity.” He stated.

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