Biobarakuma Degi
Senator for Bayelsa East
Assumed office
11 June 2019
Preceded byBen Murray-Bruce
Personal details
Born (1959-02-22) 22 February 1959 (age 64)
NationalityNigerian
Political partyAll Progressives Congress
OccupationPolitician

Biobarakuma Wangagha Degi Eremienyo (born 22 February 1959), is a Nigerian politician and the senator representing Bayelsa East senatorial district of Bayelsa State at the 9th National Assembly.[1][2][3] In 2019, he was appointed the vice chairman senate committee on gas resources and vice chairman senate committee on special duties.[4][5][6]

Early life and education

Degi is from Basambiri, Nembe, Bayelsa State. In 1990, he graduated from Rivers State University with a degree in agricultural economics/extension, before proceeding to receive a master of business administration from the same university.[7]

Polictical career

Degi started his political career in the 1980s. In 1990, he became a member of the local chamber in Nembe Local Government Area, becoming the vice-chairman in 1993 and chairman of the local government area in 1999.[7] Later in his career, he served as a commissioner for rural development and chieftaincy affairs and also as a commissioner for health in Bayelsa State.[8] He served as a member of the governing council of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta and as executive director of human resources in FERMA.[9]

In the 23 February 2019 general elections in Nigeria, Degi was elected as the senator representing Bayelsa East, he got 43,303 votes to beat the PDP candidate, Ipiganai Izagara who got 32,363 votes.[10][11][12] On 10 September 2019, Degi was announced as David Lyon's running mate in the 16 November 2019 Governorship Election in Bayelsa State.[13] On 12 November 2019, the federal high court in Abuja disqualified Degi as Lyon's running mate for the Bayelsa State governorship election on the basis of falsification of academic documents.[14] The Court of Appeal in Abuja had halted the judgement disqualifying him as Lyon's running mate for allegedly filing false academic information on 15 November 2019.[15]

On 16 November 2019, he was declared the deputy governor-elect of Bayelsa State by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.[16] On 13 February 2020, a day prior to his swearing-in as deputy governor, his election was invalidated by the Supreme Court of Nigeria on grounds that he submitted a fake certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission.[17][18]

References

  1. ^ "National Assembly | Federal Republic of Nigeria". Nassnig.org. 1 January 1960. Retrieved 27 February 2020.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "Bayelsa: PDP wins 2 Senate, 2 Reps seats - P.M. NewsP.M. News". Pmnewsnigeria.com. 27 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  3. ^ "Bayelsa Governorship Conundrum: Reflections On Supreme Court Judgment By Inibehe Effiong". Sahara Reporters. 16 February 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  4. ^ "Bayelsa poll: APC candidate picks serving senator as running mate". Premium Times. 9 September 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  5. ^ "Credentials of Ex-Deputy Governor-Elect". Pmnewsnigeria.com.
  6. ^ "Bayelsa: Let the truth be told about Biobarakuma Wanagha Degi-Eremienyo". Dailytrust.com.
  7. ^ a b Odiegwu, Mike (15 November 2019). "Bayelsa poll: Where will pendulum swing?". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  8. ^ Odiegwu, Mike (16 October 2019). "How far can APC, PDP running mates go in Bayelsa?". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  9. ^ Iredia, Iredia (29 February 2020). "The heavy burden of simplicity". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  10. ^ "Senatorial seats: APC wins Jonathan's district, 64 others – Punch Newspapers". Punchng.com. 1 March 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  11. ^ "List of all Senators elected in 2019 National Assembly elections - Pulse Nigeria". Pulse.ng. 12 March 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  12. ^ Agency Report (27 February 2019). "PDP wins two Senate, two Reps seats in Bayelsa - Premium Times Nigeria". Premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  13. ^ Osahon, Julius (10 September 2019). "David Lyon names Degi-Eremienyo as running mate, thanks Bayelsa for massive support | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World NewsPolitics – The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News". Guardian.ng. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  14. ^ "APC in Trouble as Court Disqualifies Bayelsa Gov Running Mate". Thisdaylive. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  15. ^ "Bayelsa election: Appeal court orders INEC to retain APC on ballot | TheCable". www.thecable.ng. Archived from the original on 15 November 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  16. ^ "#KOBA2019: INEC declares David Lyon of APC winner of Bayelsa state guber election". TVC News. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  17. ^ "Supreme Court Sacks Lyon As Bayelsa Governor-Elect, Hours Before Inauguration". Channels Television. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  18. ^ "Supreme Court Didn't Contact Those Who Issued My Certificate, Says Bayelsa APC Candidate, Degi-Eremienyo". Saharareporters.com.
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