From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo ( Bayelsa East)of the All Progressive Congress(APC) has defeated Hon Sodaguo Omoni at the Federal High Court Yenagoa over a suit challenging his eligibility to contest the 2023 Senatorial election.
Omoni had dragged Senator Degi- Eremienyo who emerged the APC standard-bearer for Bayelsa East to Court seeking his disqualification from contesting the elections on the strength of the 2020 Supreme Court judgment which sacked David Lyon as the governor-elect on the grounds that Degi-Eremienyo presented false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Ruling on the suit filed by Hon Omoni, Justice Isa Dashen declared that the submissions and prayers of the plaintiff lacked merit and thereby disregarded it.
He therefore declared Senator- Degi-Eremienyo as the authentic candidate for the APC in the 2023 general elections.
Reacting to the judgment in a telephone interview, Senator- Degi- Eremienyo expressed faith in the Nigerian judiciary as it is unwavering in promoting justice.
He however expressed surprise that Hon Omoni would drag him to Court over the matter that has been dealt with and his name cleared by the judiciary and the Police.
“We have come out victorious again. I have a lot of confidence in the judiciary because they would always promote justice. I expected nothing else because the evidence was convincing and the judiciary will always rule on the side of justice. But there must be an end to litigation. On the same matter since 2020, I have suffered a lot of trauma. After the 2020 Supreme Court Judgement, I submitted myself to the Police to investigate my certificates, after diligent investigation, I was cleared. I was taken to Court on the same account, I was exonerated. So I wonder why my sister would take me to Court over the same issue. There must be an end to litigation. There is no victor or vanquished .I appeal to my sister to accept the judgment and join hands with me and the party to win the 2023 elections.”
On his chances and that of the party to win the 2023 election, Senator Degi- Eremienyo who maintained that his preoccupation is to attract developmental projects to Bayelsa East Senatorial district said from available evidence and testimonies from his constituents, he is not doing badly in attracting development to the senatorial district.
“The people have said that they have never had it so good. You can go and take an independent assessment and hear what the people are saying. APC is going to win the election with the support of the people of Bayelsa East who are happy with the developmental projects.