Rivers Governorship Election Tribunal: PDP closes Wike defence, urges Tribunal to strike out petition

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Tuesday closed its defence of the election of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike with a firm call on the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to dismiss the Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) petition and that of its candidate, Dakuku Peterside because they lack merit.

The PDP backed its declaration by tendering Thisday edition of April 22, 2015 wherein former INEC National Chairman Prof Attahiru Jega declared the Governor Wike election credible and peaceful.

The Tribunal adjourned the petition to October 22 for the adoption of written addresses by the Petitioners and Respondents preparatory to the delivery of judgment.

At the hearing on Tuesday, the PDP tendered result sheets, INEC Form EC 8a in specific polling units where Rivers State APC Governorship candidate had alleged that elections did not hold.

Counsel to the PDP, Goddy Uche (SAN) said contrary to the claims of the Rivers State APC, the party’s polling agents signed all the result sheets.

The PDP also tendered INEC Form EC 40a, which indicated the distribution of ballot papers to six Local Government Areas. The local government areas are: ONELGA, Andoni, Eleme, Gokana, Degema and Oyigbo.

The party further submitted voters registers for specific polling units where Rivers State APC challenged the victory of Governor Nyesom Wike.

The PDP further tendered a public announcement of INEC on March 28, 2015 which promoted the case of the party. Other documents tendered included Forms EC 25a, EC 25a1, EC 25b and EC 25b1.

Addressing journalists after the hearing, Goddy Uche (SAN ) noted that the documents tendered are critical to the determination of the petition as they have exposed the falsehood promoted by the Rivers State APC.

In his remarks, Counsel to the APC, Niyi Akintola, SAN, said that the party would settle down to prepare her final written Address.

Tribunal Chairman, Justice Suleiman Ambrosa said that the tribunal registry would remain open all day for all counsels prior to the adoption of written addresses on October 22.

Justice Ambrosa stated that the lifespan of the petition expires on October 29, 2015 when it will clock 180 Days, hence the decision to hasten the adoption of written addresses.