The Rivers State legislative election petition tribunals yesterday nullified the election of 20 out of the 32 members of the state House of Assembly. The four tribunals, in separate judgments upheld the petitions by candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the election.
They ordered rerun in the affected constituencies. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of the House, who are affected by the tribunals’ verdicts, include the Speaker Owaji Ibani from Andoni constituency. The state’s governorship election petition tribunal last Saturday, voided the election of Governor Nyesom Wike and ordered a rerun.
The tribunal upheld the petitioners’ evidence, particularly in relation to allegations of irregularities and violence among other electoral malpractices. The tribunals were of the view that the petitioners were, by the evidence led, able to prove their case. By yesterday’s development, the PDP is now left with just 11 seats in the House.
There was only one member of the APC in the House. The affected lawmakers are, under the Electoral Act, entitled, within 21 days, to challenge the nullification of the elections at the appellate court. The affected constituencies are GOKANA, ELEME, OBIO AKPOR 1 and 2, Etche 2, Opobo/Nkoro and AKUKUTORU 2, Others are ASARI TORU 1 and 2, BONNY, Tai, ONELGA 1, DEGEMA, AHOADA East -1, KHANA-1 and 2 ,Ikwerre, PHALGA-2, ANDONI. The trbunals upheld elections in 11 constituencies won by the PDP. They are Oyigbo, Etche 1, Omuma, Ogu-Bolo, PHALGA 1 and 3,ONELG 2, ABUA-Odual, AHOADA West, Ahoada East 2 and EMUOHA. The petition challenging the election in Okrika constituency, where the former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan hails from, was earlier dismissed.
The verdicts from Rivers State rubbishes INEC position on the election in the state which former Chairman of the electoral commission, Prof Attahiru Jega, claimed was free and fair during the collation and announcement of results.
