BY MARY KUYE
Louis Alozie, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) has stated reasons he believes that the Supreme Court erred in Bayelsa’s gubernatorial judgement between the All Progressive Congres candidate and the People’s Democratic Party candidate.
He specifically faulted the judgment of the Supreme Court, which nullified the election of the former Bayelsa Governor-elect David Lyon of the All Progressives Congress (APC) because of the error of his running mate.
Mr Alozie argued that the Supreme Court should not have voided Lyon’s election but allow him to pick another running mate.
He explained that by voiding Lyon’s election, the Apex Court has taken away the right of the people of Bayelsa State to choose their leader.
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Asked his opinion about the judgement, Alozie said: “For me, the decision violates the sanctity of the ballot box. It is the inviolable right of the people to choose their leaders.
“The supreme court seems to have taken away that right. A deputy Governor or vice president has always been known to be a spare tyre.
“The election in question is Governorship election and not Deputy Governorship election.
“My view is that after the election, where it is found that the Deputy Governor is not qualified, the Governor ought to be allowed to choose another deputy.”
“This was the position taken by the courts in Nwakanma Okoro Vs Sam Mbakwe in 1979. Mbakwe’s running mate was found disqualified.
“Mbakwe was allowed to choose another Deputy. He chose Prince Isaac Uzoigwe, in place of Dr Bernard Amalaha. His election was not voided.”
”What the Supreme Court ought to have done was to have ordered for a fresh gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State.”