The Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal is currently reading its judgement in the petition filed by the APC candidate Dakuku Peterside against the election of Governor Nyesom Wike.
10:41 The presiding judge reviewed the witnesses and stated that Peterside/APC called 56 witnesses and of the respondents: INEC-16; Wike-24; PDP-none. The panel states that the petitioners submitted three issues for determination.
10:46 INEC argued that the petitioners failed to prove their case polling unit by polling unit in line with Supreme Court earlier decisions.According to the panel, Governor Wike’s final written address on the petition is dated October 14.
10:55 The Tribunal is now reviewing Mr. Wike’s second major argument. Governor Wike’s first major argument is that most of the petitioners’ witnesses gave hearsay evidence, according to the tribunal. Governor Wike’s other major arguments, according to the tribunal, include: Petitioners are required to prove polling unit by polling unit but they only called few polling unit agents. Non-usage of card reader cannot be grounds for nullifying election.
Mr. Wike also argued that the election was free and fair and he was duly returned governor. He asked the tribunal to strike out the petition.
The tribunal states that PDP’s final address was on October 16.
11:02 The PDP argued that the Petitioners leveled allegations of crime against the military which was not joined as a party. The PDP also argued that non-usage of card reader cannot be grounds of nullification of election. PDP thus argued that the petitioners failed to prove their case and case should be struck out.
11:18 The petitioner, Mr. Peterside, argued that the card reader machine was made mandatory by INEC’s guideline and has the backing of the Electoral Act.
11:31 The tribunal adopts only one issue for determination – whether or not the petitioners have proved their case.
11:40 The Tribunal dismisses preliminary issues concerning the competence of the tribunal raised by the respondents. It is now dwelling on its sole issue for determination
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