The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned the judgment of the National Assembly and State House of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Bayelsa State, reinstating the election of Fred Agbedi, the member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency. The court upheld Agbedi’s election, which was contested by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Michael Olomu.
The tribunal had earlier nullified Agbedi’s election and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw his certificate of return. It also ordered the conduct of supplementary polls in specific polling units and wards in the Ekeremor and Sagbama local government areas of Bayelsa State. The tribunal cited violence and the disenfranchisement of voters as reasons for its decision.
The Court of Appeal, however, disagreed with the tribunal’s findings, emphasizing that the number of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collected should be used to determine the case, not the number of registered voters. As a result, the appeal by the APC candidate was dismissed, and Agbedi was reinstated as the representative of Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Fred Agbedi expressed gratitude for the court’s decision, stating that it validates his election victory and the mandate entrusted to him by the people. He called on his opponent to join efforts to bring development to their federal constituency, emphasizing the importance of working together regardless of party affiliation.