The Rivers State legislative election petition
tribunals yesterday nullified the election of 20
out of the 32 members of the state House of
Assembly.
The four tribunals, in separate judgments
yesterday, upheld the petitions by candidate of
the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the
election.
They ordered rerun in the affected
constituencies.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of
the House, who are affected by the tribunals’
verdicts, include the Speaker Owaji Ibani from
Andoni constituency.
The state’s governorship election petition
tribunal last Saturday, voided the election of
Governor Nyesom Wike and ordered a rerun.
Yesterday, the tribunals upheld the petitioners’
evidence, particularly in relation to allegations of
irregularities and violence among other electoral
malpractices.
The tribunals were of the view that the
petitioners were, by the evidence led, able to
prove their case.
By yesterday’s development, the PDP is now left
with just 11 seats in the House. There was only
one member of the APC in the House.
The affected lawmakers are, under the Electoral
Act, entitled, within 21 days, to challenge the
nullification of the elections at the appellate
court.
The affected constituencies are GOKANA, ELEME,
OBIO AKPOR 1 and 2, Etche 2, Opobo/Nkoro and
AKUKUTORU 2,
Others are ASARI TORU 1 and 2, BONNY, Tai,
ONELGA 1, DEGEMA, AHOADA East -1, KHANA-1
and 2 ,Ikwerre, PHALGA-2, ANDONI.
The trbunals upheld elections in 11
constituencies won by the PDP. They are Oyigbo,
Etche 1, Omuma, Ogu-Bolo, PHALGA 1 and
3,ONELG 2, ABUA-Odual, AHOADA West, Ahoada
East 2 and EMUOHA.
The petition challenging the election in Okrika
constituency, where the former First Lady,
Patience Jonathan hails from, was earlier
dismissed.


thenationonlineng.net/tribunal-sacks-20-rivers-lawmakers/

well composed. nice info op