Tribunal overrules Wike on admissibility of election documents

ABUJA—The Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, yesterday, overruled Governor Nyesom Wike on the admissibility of the election documents All Progressives Congress, APC, tendered through one of his witnesses.

Wike had, through his legal team, led by Mr. Emmanuel Ukala, challenged the propriety of the tribunal allowing APC and its governorship candidate in the state, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, to submit a bundle of voters’ registers through a witness he produced before the tribunal yesterday.

The said witness, Dr. Christopher Iyimoga, was a National Commissioner of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, when the governorship election held.

Iyimoga, who is currently retired, was among INEC’s delegation that monitored elections in Rivers State.

The Justice Suleiman Ambrosa-led panel had, sequel to an application by Wike, subpoenaed him to appear and testify before the tribunal.

In his evidence, the witness told the tribunal that the governorship election was peaceful and conducted in accordance with the Electoral Act.

The tribunal yesterday adjourned till October 9 for the parties to adopt their written addresses, after which it will deliver judgment in the matter.

Senator Magnus Abe is seeking the nullification of the election of Olaka Nwogu of the PDP who was declared winner of Rivers South East senatorial poll.

He asked the tribunal to nullify the election on the grounds that it was fraught with malpractices and non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Addressing journalists yesterday, the petitioner insisted that that there was no election in Rivers State.

He said: ”Our case is that what happened in Rivers State does not constitute an election under which anyone can hold office. We don’t accept the process that took place in Rivers .

“What occurred in Rivers state on April 11 is legally unacceptable. We believe that Rivers People have a right to vote and elect who will govern them. We have faith in the judiciary to do the right thing”, he added.