Collation of results have begun in Local Government Areas across Rivers State with the People’s Democratic Party, PDP winning the Rivers West Senatorial District election.
This is coming after a Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja earlier dismissed the suit seeking to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from collating results of the governorship election held in the State on 9th March, 2019.
Justice Inyang Ekwo in a Judgment held that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
Justice Ekwo had on March 20th refused to grant an ex parte motion filed by the candidate of the African action congress mister Biokpomabo Awara seeking to stop the collation, announcement, and conclusion of the election without hearing the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Instead, the judge ordered that INEC be put on notice. Having heard the suit in the main, the trial judge has held that the suit is lacking in merit and is hereby dismissed.
Delivering judgment, Justice Inyang Ekwo, held that once an election is held the Federal high court or the state high court can not assume or exercise jurisdiction over such matters, as it is the duty of the election petition tribunal.
