Rivers state Election Petition Tribunal earlier today sacked Nyesom Wike as the governor, but Wike has said he will appeal the judgment of the election petition tribunal.

The tribunal, which delivered its ruling in Abuja on Saturday, October 24, also ordered that a rerun be conducted in the state. The petition challenging the election of Wike as the Rivers state governor was filed by Dakuku Peterside, the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement by the party’s national publicity secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, PDP alleged that there is a plot by the APC government, to use the judiciary and various security agencies to reverse the victory of the PDP in Rivers, Delta, Akwa-Ibom, Taraba and Abia states.

READ ALSO: Ambode’s Victory: Senator Adeola Berates Lagos PDP

“We invite Nigerians and the international community to recall various reprehensible steps taken by the APC government that culminated in this ruling as well as the ridiculous Wednesday’s verdict of the Akwa-Ibom state governorship election tribunal, also sitting in Abuja.

“The curious and controversial relocation of the elections tribunals from their states to Abuja without any justification. The constant juggling of judicial officers and members of governorship elections tribunal in PDP states, especially, Rivers and Akwa-Ibom states. Constant harassment of judicial and electoral officers involved in the governorship election cases in these state, using agencies of government, particularly, the Directorate of State Services (DSS) under the direct command of a known APC member, Alhaji Lawal Daura.

“Constant threats, intimidation and coercing of witnesses against the PDP in the tribunals. The recent mass transfer of security operatives, especially the DSS and police personnel that actually participated in the conduct of the elections in Rivers and Akwa-Ibom, ostensibly to frustrate the course of genuine evidences in the process.

“The bias in the judgment against the PDP in Rivers as well as Akwa-Ibom is evidenced in the contradictions inherent in the trial process of the two cases and the verdicts therein, whereby the tribunals clearly disregarded standing legal norm that a petitioner must establish prove of claims.

“Also curious is the fact that after both the petitioner and respondent agreed before the tribunal that both card reader and manual accreditations were used for the election, the tribunal still went ahead to base its decision on issues of card reader.

READ ALSO: Tribunal Upholds Victory Of PDP Lawmaker, Dimisses APC

PDP said the APC used legal technicalities to deny PDP victory in Imo, Lagos, Ogun and Yobe states, the same rules are misapplied to wickedly favour APC petitioners in Rivers and Akwa-Ibom states.

“It is therefore evinced that these contradictions are direct fall-out of compromises as well as boasts by the APC of being in direct and remote control of the tribunals. If not, how can one explain the fact that while governorship elections are being upturned in PDP states, in APC states, where similar claims and facts are in contention, elections are being upheld.

“Further proof of bias by the Rivers tribunal is the fact that less than 24 hours after various counsels submitted nine written addresses and documents, the tribunal rushed its notice of judgment, an action ostensibly aimed at ambushing the pending Supreme Court action on the issue of jurisdiction regarding the relocation of the tribunal outside River state, which was due to be delivered on Tuesday.

“This is not withstanding the fact that the tribunal has up to seven days after of receipt of addresses, to deliver its judgment, but chose instead, to rush to deliver this spurious verdict even on a Saturday, a development eliciting suspicion that the judgment may have since been predetermined and written even before the commencement of the case.”

PDP therefore urged Nigerians and the international community to note this growing manipulation of the judiciary by the APC government, a factor which portends great danger to our democracy and the stability of our country.

It also restate unequivocally that the judgments will not stand in view of the prevailing inherent contradictions, in addition to the huge threat they portend to our democracy and national stability.

https://www.naij.com/616457-rivers-akwa-ibom-tribunal-judgments-cannot-stand-pdp.html

Hmm

Brb

PDP has described as unacceptable and bizarre the election tribunal verdicts in both Rivers and Akwa Ibom state. The Akwa Ibom state election petition tribunal few days ago had nullified the state governorship election in 18 Local governments and ordered a rerun. PDP's reaction is contained in a statement released this afternoon by its National Publicity secretary Olisa Metuh. Read after the cut..

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) declares the verdict of the River state governorship election tribunal sitting in Abuja, which showed clear bias against Governor Nyesom Wike and the PDP, as completely bizarre, unacceptable and part of the script by the APC to manipulate the will of the people.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Saturday said indications to this spurious judgment had months ago been hinted to the PDP, which in turn, alerted the nation and the international community of the heinous plot by the APC government, to use the judiciary and various security agencies to reverse the victory of the PDP in Rivers, Delta, Akwa-Ibom, Taraba and Abia states.
“We invite Nigerians and the international community to recall various reprehensible steps taken by the APC government that culminated in this ruling as well as the ridiculous Wednesday’s verdict of the Akwa-Ibom state governorship election tribunal, also sitting in Abuja.
1. The curious and controversial relocation of the elections tribunals from their states to Abuja without any justification.
2. The constant juggling of judicial officers and members of governorship elections tribunal in PDP states, especially, Rivers and Akwa-Ibom states.
3. Constant harassment of judicial and electoral officers involved in the governorship election cases in these state, using agencies of government, particularly, the Directorate of State Services (DSS) under the direct command of a known APC member, Alhaji Lawal Daura.
4. Constant threats, intimidation and coercing of witnesses against the PDP in the tribunals.
5. The recent mass transfer of security operatives, especially the DSS and police personnel that actually participated in the conduct of the elections in Rivers and Akwa-Ibom, ostensibly to frustrate the course of genuine evidences in the process.
“The bias in the judgment against the PDP in Rivers as well as Akwa-Ibom is evidenced in the contradictions inherent in the trial process of the two cases and the verdicts therein, whereby the tribunals clearly disregarded standing legal norm that a petitioner must establish prove of claims.
“Also curious is the fact that after both the petitioner and respondent agreed before the tribunal that both card reader and manual accreditations were used for the election, the tribunal still went ahead to base its decision on issues of card reader.
While it is convenient to them to use legal technicalities to deny PDP victory in Imo, Lagos, Ogun and Yobe states, the same rules are misapplied to wickedly favour APC petitioners in Rivers and Akwa-Ibom states.
“It is therefore evinced that these contradictions are direct fall-out of compromises as well as boasts by the APC of being in direct and remote control of the tribunals. If not, how can one explain the fact that while governorship elections are being upturned in PDP states, in APC states, where similar claims and facts are in contention, elections are being upheld.
“Further proof of bias by the Rivers tribunal is the fact that less than 24 hours after various counsels submitted nine written addresses and documents, the tribunal rushed its notice of judgment, an action ostensibly aimed at ambushing the pending Supreme Court action on the issue of jurisdiction regarding the relocation of the tribunal outside River state, which was due to be delivered on Tuesday.
“This is not withstanding the fact that the tribunal has up to seven days after of receipt of addresses, to deliver its judgment, but chose instead, to rush to deliver this spurious verdict even on a Saturday, a development eliciting suspicion that the judgment may have since been predetermined and written even before the commencement of the case.
“The PDP calls on all Nigerians and the international community to note this growing manipulation of the judiciary by the APC government, a factor which portends great danger to our democracy and the stability of our country.
“Nigerians would want to recall that under the PDP-led government with former President Goodluck Jonathan’s commitment to the tenets of democracy as encapsulated in the safeguard of ‘one man one vote’ and the independence of the judiciary, the PDP conceded electoral defeat in Edo, Anambra, and Imo states without attempting to collect victory through executive manipulation of the judicial process.
“The PDP restates unequivocally that this judgments must not stand in view of the prevailing inherent contradictions, in addition to the huge threat they portend to our democracy and national stability.
“Finally, the PDP charges all lovers of democracy, particularly our members in Rivers and Akwa-Ibom state not to be daunted, as these judgments will not stand the test of the law and the will of the people. We therefore reassure that the PDP will do all within the ambit of the law to resist this criminal attempt by the APC to steal and thwart the will of the people.
Signed:
Chief Olisa Metuh
National Publicity Secretary
Attachments area


http://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2015/10/rivers-akwa-ibom-tribunal-judgments.html#more

,

The appeal and supreme courts would do the needful

You are so sure, so people-accepted, so Riverians-endeared, and so God-approved, His Excellency. Rivers State people are solidly behind you. If they like let them keep cancelling the elections, no stranger nor son of a strange woman will be able to subjugate and circumvent the will and mandate of God's people. Let them keep using different guise and gimmicks to deceive God's people, IT SHALL come to nought. They promised to hit the ground running, but they have only succeeded in hitting the ground GROUNDED.

Proverbs 24:21-22 "My son fear the Lord and the King. Mingle not with them that shout CHANGE...for their calamity shall come quickly..."

Let me paraphrase:

People that shout change with the intent and purpose to deceive, hoodwink, cajole, intimidate, oppress and suppress, victimise, circumvent towards dictatorship or totalitarianism

MUST SUFFER DIRE CONSEQUENCES!

Well, small small, dem don dey learn opposition. Next time, dem no go carry Clueless present as Presidential candidate.

It is becoming glaringly clear that Buhari's government through it's selective fight against corruption and annulments of elections in only PDP states is leading Nigeria to a one party state and dictatorship. It will not end well.

Metuh go and learn from the brilliiant image maker, lai mohammed

“The curious and controversial relocation of the elections tribunals from their states to Abuja without any justification.

Lagos election tribunal held in Lagos sate, those of PDP states are holding in Abuja, make your own judgement.


APC are so popular in Rivers state hence Amaechi's deputy left them on the eve of election.

chukwudi44:
The appeal and supreme courts would do the needful

waste of time. From the figures we saw in Akwaibom and Rivers even a blind man will know something was wrong somewhere.

kokoA:
waste of time. From the figures we saw in Akwaibom and Rivers even a blind man will know something was wrong somewhere.

So the figures in Akwa ibom and Rivers are fake but the kid votes in Kano and katsina are really? Abeg tell me something!!!

Oli metuh don enter one Chance..
Hu go pay am salary now?

The election in River state was annulled because of the use of incident forms for the election, it would be interesting to see the supreme court judgement on this. If the supreme court affirms that judgement then lots of elections including those won by the APC would also be nullified.

APC is corruption, corruption is Apc

wachakuta:
Oli metuh don enter one Chance..
Hu go pay am salary now?

No matter what happens, PDP would remain in power in River state, Wike would remain Governor until the appeal are exhausted, even if the supreme court orders a 're-run,the speaker who will become acting Governor during the transition period is also PDP. The APC has no chance of winning any 're-run any day.

chukwudi44:

So the figures in Akwa ibom and Rivers are fake but the kid votes in Kano and katsina are really? Abeg tell me something!!!

take APC to court or shut da Bleep up! If PDP felt the figures in those states were cooked they would have gone to court.

Why?

kokoA:
take APC to court or shut da Bleep up! If PDP felt the figures in those states were cooked they would have gone to court.

Ode the cases are already in court. Let's see what the supreme court would rule on the matter.

At a point where 10m# exchange hand in yobe state election and yet d election was upheld it baffles me hw pmb wana fight corruption..apc govt need to note dis dat we had a peaceful free and fair election in 2015 if dey cant give same or a better one in 2019 den I can tell you dis fight of corruption is sham.. From d tribunals I can tell you where it is going and newly appointed inec chairman.. The whole world is watching

chukwudi44:
The election in River state was annulled because of the use of incident forms for the election, it would be interesting to see the supreme court judgement on this. If the supreme court affirms that judgement then lots of elections including those won by the APC would also be nullified.

before you can use the incident form, the card reader must have failed. The card reader records both failed and sucessful entry.

What A Country

Ruling in Lagos in favour of Ambode of (APC), the Tribunal affirmed that "non-use of card readers or its malfunction cannot invalidate an election because card readers are unknown to the 2010
electoral act and was possibly a mere administrative tool only."
Ruling in Rivers against Nyesom Wike of (PDP), the Tribunal used card readers as part of the judgement against the incumbent Governor and
ordered for a rerun.
This is arrant Nonsense,

This government is more interested in nullifying elections while paying no attention to any of their campaign promises..
4yr will soon catch up with them

Enice:
before you can use the incident form, the card reader must have failed. The card reader records both failed and sucessful entry.

The tribunal did not say the card readers did not fail,it just invalidated the elections because incident forms were used!! That is why i said it would be interesting seeing what the supreme court will decide as it cannot afford to contradict itself,If the Rivers election is nullified on that basis then all other elections will also be nullified!! If the supreme court validated Ambode's election on the use of the card readers then it cannot afford to rule otherwise in Wike's case.

DonXavi:
It is becoming glaringly clear that Buhari's government through it's selective fight against corruption and annulments of elections in only PDP states is leading Nigeria to a one party state and dictatorship. It will not end well.

My fear exactly..

*yawns** (Its not easy to be on the opposition). Metuh take heart.

Is it when it has already stood with 4 feets?

Is it when it has already stood with 4 feet?

chukwudi44:
The election in River state was annulled because of the use of incident forms for the election, it would be interesting to see the supreme court judgement on this. If the supreme court affirms that judgement then lots of elections including those won by the APC would also be nullified.

Your mumu is not in the market. For your info, all election related matters ends at the Appeal court following the amendment of the Electoral Act.

Also there is no hearing of cases of this nature as much rather the Appeal court judges will carefully review the grounds of the verdict of the tribunal and give judgement.

This will take 60days to rule. So I advice you stop spewing rubbish here

My friend Nyenke tells me Port-Harcourt is dead tonight.
The politically conscious citizens are in mourning. Despite the fact that they are consoled by appeal of Judgement option, they feel down for the rape of Justice happening in Rivers State.
But somewhere in Daura, 1,000,000 kilometers apart from Port-Harcourt, camp fire is lit, there are drums and shaking of trampolines. The people there are happy that the people in PH are sad.

‪#‎whatacountry‬!

Oh yea people of Daura, as you celebrate, note these things. It is not yet Uhuru.
Do not forget that Wike has a pending Interlocutory application at the Supreme Court, challenging why the tribunal was put up at Abuja. If the Supreme Court rules in his Favour, then the Judgement of the Tribunal today will not stand. The ruling is coming up on Tuesday. I am sure Wike will wait for that ruling before filing his notice of appeal.
Assuming without conceding that the Supreme Court rules against Wike on the Interlocutory appeal, Nyesom Wike has 21 days to appeal today's decision, which He certainly will. Consequently, Wike will remain in office until the appeal is determined. Appeal lies from the tribunal to the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal has 60 days commencing from today to determine the appeal.
If again the Court of Appeal decides against Wike, he again has 14 days to appeal to the Supreme Court and the Final court has yet another 60 days to determine the appeal.
Why are you jubilating? Unless of course you already have plans to tamper with the course of justice (like you did today) up to the Supreme Court.

Buhari is already a failure, NigerLia economy is on free fall, APC is a clueless party, God deliver us from this learners.