David Lyon (Nigerian politician)

David Lyon Perewonrimi (born 20 December 1970) is a Nigerian politician and the former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in 2019 governorship election in Bayelsa State.[1] He was declared winner of the election, but a day to his swearing-in as governor, his election was invalidated by the Supreme Court of Nigeria. The Apex court ruled that his running mate Degi Eremienyo Wangagra submitted a fake certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission, while ordering that Douye Diri of People's Democratic Party who came second in the election be issued a certificate of return, which would make him governor-elect.[2][3]

David Lyon
Born
David Lyon Perewonrimi

(1970-12-20) 20 December 1970
Olugbobiri, Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Political partyAll Progressives Congress

Early life and education

Lyon was born to Mr and Mrs Arukubu Lyon Ekpeke of Abebiri family of Eubiri compound, Olugbobiri community in Olodiama clan, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.[4] From 1978 to 1983, he attended his primary education at Saint Gabriel's State School Olugbobiri and secondary education at Community secondary school, Olugbobiri, from 1984 to 1988. He preceded to Rivers State College of Education for his National Certificate of Education (NCE) in Mathematics and Chemistry.[5]

Career

Lyon started his career as a foreman in Western Geophysical Company Limited, before moving on to become the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Darlon Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, Darlon Group Nigeria Limited and Arutex and Sons Nigeria Limited.[6]

Lyon joined politics in the Third Republic, as a member of the defunct, National Republican Congress (NRC). He contested and won a councilorship election at Ward 4 in Southern Ijaw, but the military incursion aborted his tenure in 1997. He went on to become a founding member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Southern Ijaw. He was later appointed as the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Apoi Olodiama Local Government Development Center in 2000.[7]

In 2015, he decamped to the All Progressives Congress and contested the Bayelsa State governorship primary election in September 2019, where he emerged as the party's candidate.[8][9]

On 18 November 2019, he contested in the governorship elections and was declared the governor-elect of Bayelsa State by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.[10]

On 13 February 2020, a day prior to his swearing-in as governor, his election was invalidated by the Supreme Court of Nigeria. The Apex court ruled that his running mate Degi Eremienyo Wangagra submitted a fake certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission, while ordering that Douye Diri of People's Democratic Party who came second in the election be issued a certificate of return, which would make him governor-elect.[11]

References
  1. "INEC declares APC winner of Bayelsa governorship election". Punch Newspapers. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  2. Tsa, Godwin (14 November 2019). "Breaking News: Supreme Court sacks Lyon, Bayelsa gov-elect, for presenting running mate with fake qualification". Sun News NG. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  3. "Bayelsa Governorship election 2019: Supreme Court cancel David Lyon election, declare Douye Diri of PDP winner". BBC. 13 February 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  4. Ayeni, Tolulope (17 November 2019). "David Lyon Biography, Life History, Profile, Age". KikioTolu News. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  5. Adegun, Aanu (18 November 2019). "Bayelsa election: 13 things to know about incoming governor David Lyon". Legit.ng. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  6. "Bayelsa poll: Where will pendulum swing?". The Nation Newspaper. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  7. Odiegwu, Mike (7 November 2019). "Power will shift in Bayelsa, says Lyon". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  8. Onyeji, Ebuka; Adejumo, Kabir (16 November 2019). "PROFILES: Lyon and Diri, the men battling themselves, others to emerge Bayelsa governor". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  9. "David Lyon wins APC primary in Bayelsa". The Guardian Nigeria. 4 September 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  10. "#KOBA2019: INEC declares David Lyon of APC winner of Bayelsa state guber election". TVC News. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  11. "Supreme Court Sacks Lyon As Bayelsa Governor-Elect, Hours Before Inauguration". Channels Television. Retrieved 2020-02-13.


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