Wike, PDP React To Election Petition Tribunal Ruling

Former governor, Rotmi Amaechi and incumbent
 governor of Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have rejected the ruling of the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal.

Naij.com had Thursday, July 9, reported that the tribunal had given a go-ahead to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to inspect materials used for the April 11 governorship election in the state.

But the governor and his camp have now expressed disgust at the new directive, with one of his lawyers, Godwin Obla, arguing that the tribunal’s ruling would be challenged, noting also that the order was made without jurisdiction and will not stand.

This Day recalls that the state’s governorship election tribunal, had on June 11, following an ex-parte application by APC and its governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside (who are challenging Wike’s election), ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow the petitioners inspect materials used for the election for the purpose of proving their case.

But INEC reportedly refused to obey the order on the grounds that Wike had applied for the order to be set aside or for his agents to participate in the inspection, while the PDP was challenging the court’s jurisdiction.

In his ruling on Thursday, tribunal chairman, Justice Muazu Pindiga refused Wike’s application on the grounds that it lacked merit, ruling however, that all parties have to be present when the inspection is being done.

“There is need for us to clarify the order we made on June 11. The order was made against INEC to allow the petitioners access and inspect and obtain the certified true copies (CTC) of election materials in respect of the governorship election in the state.

“The order was made in accordance with the provision of Section 151 of the Electoral Act. The order still stands,” Justice Pindiga said and adjourned the case to July 22, for the commencement of the pre-hearing session in the petition by APC and Peterside against Wike.