Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tiibunal sitting in Abuja has refused the applications by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the competence of the petition filed by All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Dr Dakuku Peterside.
In the petition, the APC and Peterside are challenging the victory of Wike of the PDP.
Peterside who joined the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as co-defendant is alleging that the govership election of April 11, which brought Wike into power was marred by widespread electoral irregularities, violence and malpractices.
By the petition, APC and Peterside are specifically seeking nullification of the poll and for an order directing the conduct of a fresh one by INEC.
But at yesterday’s sitting, the three-man panel headed by Justice Muazu Pindiga while delivering it’s ruling, rejected Wike and PDP’s applications that sought to dismiss the APC and Peterside’s petitions.
It would be recalled that the PDP had filed a motion dated July 27, 2015, which prayed for an order of the tribunal dismissing the petition as being abandoned in consequence of non compliance with provisions of paragraph 18(1) of First Schedule to the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.
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