The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Rivers State
Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, to
dismiss the petition filed by Dr. Dakuku Peterside for lack of
merit.
Mr Wole Olanipekun, (SAN), one of the counsels to the PDP
who adopted the party’’s final written address, made the call
on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the All
Progressive Congress (APC) had approached the Justice
Suleiman Ambursa led three-man panel to nullify the
election of Gov. Nyesom Wike.
The petitioners are seeking the nullification of the April 11
election on the ground that the election was marred by
irregularities and fraudulent practices.
The petitioners are also arguing that the election as
conducted by the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) was not done in line with the electoral
laws.
According to Olanipekun, the petition lacked merit and
substance and the petitioner has failed to prove the several
unfounded allegations against the conducted of the election.
He pointed out that the petitioners had alleged several cases
of violence and abduction of voters which they failed to lead
in the direction or call enough witness to prove their claims.
According to Olanipekun, the petition is incompetent and
that the tribunal has no jurisdiction to amend the petition
for the petitioners especially on the outlandish reliefs it
sought.
In his address, Counsel to the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN)
urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition filed by the
petitioners.
According to Ikpeazu, the burden of proof rests with the
petitioners who failed to discharge same before the tribunal.
Ikpeazu said that the few witnesses called by the petitioners
like the soldiers, mobile policemen and DSS operatives were
not voters who could give actual account of what happened
at the polling unit by polling unit.
Also, Counsel to Wike, Mr Emmanuel Ukala, (SAN) told the
tribunal during his address that Dakuku was not qualified to
contest the April 11 election.
According to Ukala, Dakuku’s nomination contradicted the
provision of Section 85 (1) of the Electoral Act which is
critical to the nomination of a candidate vying for election.
Ukala said that the nomination of Dakuku was not in line
with the 21 days mandatory notification of the electoral act
to notify INEC of its candidate before the election.
According to Ukala, the APC candidate fall short of the time
hence his nomination is illegal.
He said that the failure of the petitioners to call proper
witnesses who conducted the election was fatal to the case
and urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition for justice
sake.
Ukala noted that out of the 5,792 forms available for the
conduct of election, the APC and its candidate only tendered
about 3000 which was contrary to the provision of the law.
In his submission, Counsel to the APC and its candidate, Mr
Akinlolu Olujimi (SAN) urged the tribunal to grant his
petition stressing that the burden of proof also rests with the
respondents.
He said that though the card readers did not replace the
voters’ registers but they were vital to credible accreditation.
Olujimi urged the tribunal not to consider the issues raised
by the respondents that the election was free and fair. (NAN)





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Politicians can never be separated from lies.

There are indications that what happened in Akwa Ibom might happen in Rivers

All I know is that it will be unfair and wicked if no one is punished. For the killings and bombings in rivers!
During the elections and prior to the campaigns

PDP should go rest Dakuku will win the case

banki:
All I know is that it will be unfair and wicked if no one is punished. For the killings and bombings in rivers!
During the elections and prior to the campaigns

I think that both parties are culpable.

lovinggirl101:
There are indications that what happened in Akwa Ibom might happen in Rivers

I am thinking in this same direction and believe this to be d reason why d Fed Govt insist on Amaechi so as to keep up d pressure on Wike in d event if rerun