Rivers Tribunal Sack Wike, INEC To Conduct Fresh Election


The Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal has nullified the election of Nyesom Wike as the Governor of the State and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to conduct fresh election in the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared Wike winner of the election with 1,029,102 votes as against Peterside’s 124,896.

But the petitioners, through their petitions filed on May 3, urged the tribunal to nullify the election in the entire 23 local government areas of the state and order fresh one on the account of substantial non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act.

Ruling on Saturday, the tribunal said the petitioner has proved their case.

“We are satisfied that the petitioners have proved their case, Tribunal states”

Delivering the judgment, Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Mohammed Ambrosa, restates the petitioners’ allegations including poll being marred by intimidation of voters, non-availability of result sheets, snatching of electoral materials, non-collation of results at wards and LG levels etc.

The chairman of the said it is in agreement that the evidence of the witnesses of Wike and INEC is incredible and unreliable.

The Tribunal therefore orders a re-run of the election.

“We hereby order INEC to conduct fresh elections,” the Tribunal ruled.






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