The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, has dismissed the appeal filed by the United Peoples Congress (UPC) and its governorship candidate, Stephen Ibiene, against the election of Duoye Diri, the Bayelsa State Governor.

AFNews reports that the judgment of the Court of Appeal  on Thursday was in connection to the judgment delivered by the Bayelsa Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

In a unanimous decision, the appeal court in a judgment delivered by Justice Adzira Mshella, said the suit lacked diligent prosecution.

On August 17, the Tribunal dismissed the petition of the UPC and Ibiene for failing to prove allegations made against Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

However, there was no representation for the party in court on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Chris Uche (SAN), Yunus Ustaz (SAN) and Emmanuel Idem appeared for Diri, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the People’s Democratic Party.