₦airaland Forum

●Says the Will of Bayelsa people has prevailed
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that the re-election of the Bayelsa State Governor, Rt. Hon. Seriake Dickson is a victory for democracy in the face of unrelenting external forces.
In a congratulatory message to the Bayelsa State Governor, following his re-election at the conclusion of the supplementary governorship election, Governor Wike said that the will of the people of Bayelsa State has prevailed as they have resolved to remain with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
A statement issued by the Governor's Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, pointed out that the people of Bayelsa State exhibited the true Niger Delta spirit which abhors oppression and injustice.
He said that with the re-election of Governor Seriake Dickson, a clear message has been sent to the dark forces of rigging and electoral manipulation that they will never find accommodation in this geo-political zone.
Governor Wike specifically commended the good people of Bayelsa State for being vigilant all through the governorship election process, saying that their hard work and dedication to the enthronement of democracy have been rewarded by the re-election of a true Niger Delta patriot.
The governor stated that the people of the Niger Delta remain dedicated members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, because that is the only political platform that gives Niger Delta issues the priority they deserve, while the others are only interested in the pecuniary benefits which flow from the area.
While rejoicing with Governor Dickson, the Rivers State Governor expressed confidence in the ability of the Bayelsa State Governor to consolidate on the democracy dividends which he availed the Bayelsa people during his first term.

The Appeal Court sitting in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, Friday nullified the April 11, 2015 House of Assembly elections for Yakurr 2 State Constituency in which Mr. Jonas Eteng William of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerged winner.
Justice Onyekachi Otisi, who delivered the ruling, ordered that a rerun be conducted within 90 days.
The candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Captain Eno Utim Inah had proceeded to the Appeal Court on a 12-ground appeal after losing at the Tribunal.
Inah’s lawyer, Mr. Egere Osim, among others had argued against the issuance of the certificate of return, Exhibit 24 RE10, to the first respondent, Williams, on the 13th day of April 2015, when elected was yet to be concluded.
According to Osim, “Elections were concluded in 55 per cent of the constituency on the 25th day of April but yet, certificate of return was issued on the 13th. So we now said that the certificate of return is evidence of substantial non-compliance with the electoral act and the election manual.”
“The Tribunal said no and what we should have done was to prove and give evidence that election in the polling unit and ward was marred instead of harping on the certificate of return, but we said no, that the certificate of return being evidence tendered by the respondent supported our case and based on it the Appeal Court should nullify the election and based on that the court now agreed with us and nullified the election and called for return in 90 days.”
The ousted Williams did not object to the judgment.
He said he was prepared for the rerun and was certain he would still win.

Rivers state has 12 House of rep nulified 3 senate nullified 1 Governorship(supreme court will. Sack him in 2wks time)

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is to conduct 78 rerun elections this year, it was learnt yesterday.
A breakdown of the elections showed that the commission will conduct 10 senatorial elections, 12 state constituency elections and 37 state assembly elections.
Others are 17 Federal Constituency elections and two governorship rerun elections, subject to the verdict of the Supreme Court.
According to the commission’s in-house bulletin, the rerun, which will take place across the country, are based on verdicts by the Court of Appeal.
Most of the court verdicts were given in December and a few others in November. They are expected to hold within 90 days or 60 days as ordered by the Appellate Court.
INEC has also announced the date of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ahead of the council elections.
The exercise, according to INEC, will start from Wednesday, January 13, to Sunday, January 17. The exercise will take place at 62 registration centres/wards and other approved locations in the FCT.

Abia State Governor Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has Appealed the Judgement of the Court of Appeal which ordered him to vacate office for Alex Otti on grounds that he was not the actual winner of the April 11 and 25 2015 governorship election in Abia State.
In the notice of Appeal Filed by governor Okezie Ikpeazu Lawyers To the Supreme Court, they prayed the Court to set aside the judgement of Justice Oyebisi Omoleye led five-member Appeal court panel, Allow his Appeal and Uphold the first Judgement of the Abia State Tribunal which upheld his election.
Ikpeazu specifically disagreed with the learned Justices of Appeal Court for disenfranchising three Local government areas of Obingwa Osisioma and Isialangwa when it cancelled the results from those
.
"The learned Justices of the Appeal Court erred in Law when they neglected to apply the clear position of Section 49,52(2), 138(2) and 155 of the Electoral Act 2010 as (amended) but relied solely on card readers accreditation as a basis of holding that there were over voting and therefore cancelled election in Obingwa Osisioma and Isialangwa North LGA's in the April 11 and 25th governorship election in Abia State "
Ikpeazu said he will file additional grounds of Appeal after receiving the certified True Copies Of the Judgement of the Court of Appeal.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has told his loyalist that he has braced up to accept the verdict from the appeal he filed at the Supreme Court challenging the annulment of his mandate at the Election Tribunal and the Appeal Court.
Wike also admonished all his political loyalists, especially members of the National Assembly and the state assembly who lost their mandates at elections Appeal Court never to condemn judges and the judgments of the courts of law simply because they did not favour them.
He said that it is wrong for politicians to hail judges and their judgments whenever they favour them and condemn whenever verdicts are unfavourable.
Wike then charged the state candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to be confident because they will still emerge victorious, citing the commitment of the party to the wellbeing of the people as their biggest arsenal.
He further declared that the people are waiting for the total deployment of Card Readers, saying that the defeated APC in Rivers state will not win any unit because the APC and its sponsors have since betrayed the people.
Wike’s optimism was expressed at the New Year Banquet, the first under his administration.
The ceremony attracted former governors, state and federal legislators, national and state party officials and critical stakeholders of Rivers state

Oga wike get ready to be sacked this month. How can u justify 1.2m votes pdp Vs 100k votes apc, u will fail woefully this time because no pej,no federal might, nothing for U

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that if elections are conducted ten times in the state, candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will still emerge victorious because of the commitment of the party to the wellbeing of the people.
He further declared that the people are waiting for the total deployment of card readers, saying that the defeated APC in Rivers State will not win any unit because the APC and her sponsors have since betrayed the people.
Addressing a cross section of Rivers people at the state's New Year Banquet in Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday night, Governor Wike said: "If elections are conducted ten times in Rivers State, PDP will win.
"We are waiting for the card reader, but let me see which unit they (APC) will win".
Governor Wike charged the people of Rivers State to always respect the judiciary irrespective of judgments, noting that the stability of the country depends on the judiciary.
According to him, his administration has respected the full separation of powers, which has led to the independence of the Judiciary and the Legislative Arms of Government.
He expressed happiness that he lived up to his promise to revive the Judiciary after immediate past governor Amaechi closed the courts for two years, pointing out that Amaechi was the first person to take advantage of the revived Judiciary by rushing to court over the Judicial Commission of Inquiry.
The governor added that never again will the State House of Assembly be subjected to sitting in Government House under the guidance of the governor as was the case before he took over.
He said: "You don't need to control any arm of government. What you need is mutual cooperation to develop the state".
He outlined the achievements of his administration in terms of road infrastructure, schools development, empowerment programmes and health and agricultural schemes, saying that 2016 would witness more development projects in all sectors in line with the New Rivers vision.
He said that his administration was able to make landmark achievements in seven months because of the support and prayers of a vast majority of Rivers people. He declared that he will never be distracted, noting that his commitment to serve Rivers State is total irrespective of any outcome.
The Rivers State Governor said his administration took bank loans to finance projects ,not for politicking as rumored and falsely reported in the media.
“ If I take a loan, I would use it to the benefit of the Rivers people. I will not use it to play politics. “ Governor Wike said.
Governor Wike said his administration is interested in completing abandoned infrastructural projects, provided they impact positively on lives of the people.
He explained that though his administration had paid N 1 .5 b for the foreign scholarships, it could not continue to fund it because the previous government of Rotimi Amaechi had incurred a debt of N3.5 b for 2013 – 2014 and the 2014 -2015 sessions. He stated that the decision was taken in the overall interest of the state in view of dwindling finances.
Earlier, State Head of Service, Mr Rufus Godwins stated that the people of the state are solidly in support of Governor Wike because of his commitment to development of Rivers State and his superlative achievements.
Former Minister of Sports, Dr Tammy Danagogo said that Governor Wike has lived up to the expectations of the people through his people focused programmes and projects.
The New Year Banquet, the first under Governor Wike's administration attracted former governors, state and Federal Legislators, National and State party officials and critical stakeholders of Rivers State.[b]Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that if elections are conducted ten times in the state, candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will still emerge victorious because of the commitment of the party to the wellbeing of the people.
He further declared that the people are waiting for the total deployment of card readers, saying that the defeated APC in Rivers State will not win any unit because the APC and her sponsors have since betrayed the people.
Addressing a cross section of Rivers people at the state's New Year Banquet in Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday night, Governor Wike said: "If elections are conducted ten times in Rivers State, PDP will win.
"We are waiting for the card reader, but let me see which unit they (APC) will win".
Governor Wike charged the people of Rivers State to always respect the judiciary irrespective of judgments, noting that the stability of the country depends on the judiciary.
According to him, his administration has respected the full separation of powers, which has led to the independence of the Judiciary and the Legislative Arms of Government.
He expressed happiness that he lived up to his promise to revive the Judiciary after immediate past governor Amaechi closed the courts for two years, pointing out that Amaechi was the first person to take advantage of the revived Judiciary by rushing to court over the Judicial Commission of Inquiry.
The governor added that never again will the State House of Assembly be subjected to sitting in Government House under the guidance of the governor as was the case before he took over.
He said: "You don't need to control any arm of government. What you need is mutual cooperation to develop the state".
He outlined the achievements of his administration in terms of road infrastructure, schools development, empowerment programmes and health and agricultural schemes, saying that 2016 would witness more development projects in all sectors in line with the New Rivers vision.
He said that his administration was able to make landmark achievements in seven months because of the support and prayers of a vast majority of Rivers people. He declared that he will never be distracted, noting that his commitment to serve Rivers State is total irrespective of any outcome.
The Rivers State Governor said his administration took bank loans to finance projects ,not for politicking as rumored and falsely reported in the media.
“ If I take a loan, I would use it to the benefit of the Rivers people. I will not use it to play politics. “ Governor Wike said.
Governor Wike said his administration is interested in completing abandoned infrastructural projects, provided they impact positively on lives of the people.
He explained that though his administration had paid N 1 .5 b for the foreign scholarships, it could not continue to fund it because the previous government of Rotimi Amaechi had incurred a debt of N3.5 b for 2013 – 2014 and the 2014 -2015 sessions. He stated that the decision was taken in the overall interest of the state in view of dwindling finances.
Earlier, State Head of Service, Mr Rufus Godwins stated that the people of the state are solidly in support of Governor Wike because of his commitment to development of Rivers State and his superlative achievements.
Former Minister of Sports, Dr Tammy Danagogo said that Governor Wike has lived up to the expectations of the people through his people focused programmes and projects.
The New Year Banquet, the first under Governor Wike's administration attracted former governors, state and Federal Legislators, National and State party officials and critical stakeholders of Rivers State.[/b]Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that if elections are conducted ten times in the state, candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will still emerge victorious because of the commitment of the party to the wellbeing of the people.
He further declared that the people are waiting for the total deployment of card readers, saying that the defeated APC in Rivers State will not win any unit because the APC and her sponsors have since betrayed the people.
Addressing a cross section of Rivers people at the state's New Year Banquet in Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday night, Governor Wike said: "If elections are conducted ten times in Rivers State, PDP will win.
"We are waiting for the card reader, but let me see which unit they (APC) will win".
Governor Wike charged the people of Rivers State to always respect the judiciary irrespective of judgments, noting that the stability of the country depends on the judiciary.
According to him, his administration has respected the full separation of powers, which has led to the independence of the Judiciary and the Legislative Arms of Government.
He expressed happiness that he lived up to his promise to revive the Judiciary after immediate past governor Amaechi closed the courts for two years, pointing out that Amaechi was the first person to take advantage of the revived Judiciary by rushing to court over the Judicial Commission of Inquiry.
The governor added that never again will the State House of Assembly be subjected to sitting in Government House under the guidance of the governor as was the case before he took over.
He said: "You don't need to control any arm of government. What you need is mutual cooperation to develop the state".
He outlined the achievements of his administration in terms of road infrastructure, schools development, empowerment programmes and health and agricultural schemes, saying that 2016 would witness more development projects in all sectors in line with the New Rivers vision.
He said that his administration was able to make landmark achievements in seven months because of the support and prayers of a vast majority of Rivers people. He declared that he will never be distracted, noting that his commitment to serve Rivers State is total irrespective of any outcome.
The Rivers State Governor said his administration took bank loans to finance projects ,not for politicking as rumored and falsely reported in the media.
“ If I take a loan, I would use it to the benefit of the Rivers people. I will not use it to play politics. “ Governor Wike said.
Governor Wike said his administration is interested in completing abandoned infrastructural projects, provided they impact positively on lives of the people.
He explained that though his administration had paid N 1 .5 b for the foreign scholarships, it could not continue to fund it because the previous government of Rotimi Amaechi had incurred a debt of N3.5 b for 2013 – 2014 and the 2014 -2015 sessions. He stated that the decision was taken in the overall interest of the state in view of dwindling finances.
Earlier, State Head of Service, Mr Rufus Godwins stated that the people of the state are solidly in support of Governor Wike because of his commitment to development of Rivers State and his superlative achievements.
Former Minister of Sports, Dr Tammy Danagogo said that Governor Wike has lived up to the expectations of the people through his people focused programmes and projects.
The New Year Banquet, the first under Governor Wike's administration attracted former governors, state and Federal Legislators, National and State party officials and critical stakeholders of Rivers State.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri has declared the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance Dr Alex Otti as the duely elected Governor of Abia State

Just wait until 2nd week of january when supreme court will send him packing.u will see mass exodus from pdp to APC,wike knows very well he's a gonner.there will be no state fund for him to use during rerun.

PDP should change their name to PMS

Can this be true? LolzzZzzZzz

Following the decision of the Court of Appeal affirming the judgment of the Rivers Governorship Election Tribunal that Governor Nyesom Wike, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in this year’s election, was not validly elected, tension is building up in the state over plans to win the now more likely re-run governorship poll between the ruling PDP and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
Recent checks by The Nation revealed that chieftains of both parties are making moves to ensure that their candidate emerges victorious should the Supreme Court, which is the last appellate Court in the matter, uphold the governor’s removal. The Rivers Tribunal had earlier, on October 24, nullified Wike’s election. The tribunal, which delivered its ruling in Abuja, also ordered that a fresh governorship election be conducted in the state.
After the tribunal’s ruling, the governor headed to the Court of Appeal, saying the judgment was untenable. But the Court of Appeal affirmed the judgment of the Rivers Governorship Election Tribunal, insisting on the re-run election. Dissatisfied, Wike and the PDP have approached the Supreme Court, urging it to set aside the ruling.
The possibilities
The Rivers governorship election, which was criticised by local and international observers, witnessed the largest amount of violence both in its build-up and after the elections, following it’s nullification by two competent courts, has left the ruling PDP literarily clinging unto straw according to many analysts. The embattled party is hoping the Supreme Court will rule in its favour.
But the state chapter of the APC says Wike “is wasting his time approaching the Supreme Court in his desperate bid to cling to a non-existing mandate as Rivers State governor.”
Rivers APC said in a statement signed by the Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, and issued in Port Harcourt: “Chief Wike knows deep down in him that he did not win any election on April 11, 2015. He is only seeking to buy time by hopping from one court to the other in a doomed bid to avoid the inevitable, which is that his days as care-taker governor of Rivers State are drawing to an end.
As a lawyer, we expect Wike to know that the Supreme Court cannot save him because he has no case. Common sense dictates that he should concentrate his energies on preparing for the fresh election ordered by the tribunal but, as the saying goes, common sense is not really common.”
The party reminded Wike that the Supreme Court had earlier ruled on appeal that he brought before it on the Rivers State election that indeed, “there was widespread violence during the election.” It advised Wike to stop wasting his time and prepare for a re-run election that will enable the Rivers State to reclaim their state from his maladministration of the state.
But the Rivers State Government has dismissed the testimonies of some witnesses that testified in the case, insisting that the judgement cannot stand. The state government, in a statement signed by Opunabo Inko-Tariah, took a swipe at the military personnel that discredited the elections in the state.
The state government also downplayed the testimony of the senior INEC official, Charles Okoye, who also claimed the elections were marred by violence and intimidation. Inko-Tariah said all the testimonies so far were in contradiction to the facts before the Justice Ambrosa-led Tribunal.
He accused the army of playing the script of the petitioner, the All Progressives Congress, adding that the military men “merely lied on oath”.
“Although this should not ordinarily be an issue for media debate, being a matter before a tribunal, it is important to straighten the records for public information to the effect that all the bogus claims by the busybody INEC staff represented were not only entirely scripted but dead on arrival,” he said.
As it stands, it is either the Supreme Court supports the Appeal Court which ordered fresh election within 90 days, or uphold the election of Wike as governor. But many observers of the politics of the state say given the widespread irregularities and violence that characterised the last guber election, Wike’s chance to remain in office is a very slim one.
Fresh battle plans
Ahead of both the Supreme Court ruling and the likely re-run election, several meetings are being held in the state and beyond. Recently, Wike was at the national secretariat of the PDP in Abuja to discuss the Appeal Court ruling and its consequences with the leadership of his party.
Sources at the party told The Nation that the governor harped on the need for all hands to be on deck to ensure his victory should the re-run become inevitable.
“The governor kept reminding the leadership of the PDP of the need to rally all forces within and outside the state ahead of the re-run election. As part of efforts to ensure victory at the poll, both the governor and the party agreed on the need to reconcile some aggrieved chieftains with the party in the state.
Personally, the governor expressed willingness to reach out to everybody. He urged the party to immediately commence the reconciliation effort which has been left unattended to for so long. The party on its part, has assured the governor and the Rivers PDP of its readiness to fully support the party in the state should the need arise,” our source said.
Last Saturday, youth groups supporting the governor gathered in Port-Harcourt to plan ahead of the possible rerun election. At the parley, attended by many prominent Chieftains of the party in the state, the youths said they will embark on sensitisation rallies to prepare the people of the state in case the rerun election holds.
Spokesperson of the groups, Comrade Samuel Sukubo, told The Nation that there is need for the PDP to set out early in its quest to retain the state should the Supreme Court order a rerun. According to him, “there are so many forces plotting to steal Rivers State from us but I can assure you that we know what to do and we are already doing it.”
The PDP in a statement issued on Monday, December 21, by its media adviser, Jerry Needam, also accused the APC of illegally retrieving Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) from residents in readiness for the incoming re-run gubernatorial election in the state. The state chairman, Felix Obuah, said the party had already alerted relevant security agencies on the alleged move of the APC in order to curb it.
Obuah went further to explain that the APC under the guise of conducting the party’s membership registration in the state had been dispossessing members of the public their PVCs. He urged the state’s security agencies to arrest those involved in the illegal act.
“Mindful of the criminal implication of the act, and the danger it poses to the nation’s democratic electoral process, the Rivers State chapter of the PDP has called on the police and other security agencies to urgently be on the heels of leaders and members of the APC in the state, who have under the guise of conducting the party’s membership registration in the state unlawfully dispossess members of the public of their PVCs,” he said.
According to him, the party is apprehensive because of its criminal inclination and as it infringes on the fundamental rights of the legitimate owners of the PVCs, adding that the victims have been deprived of their right to choose their leader as well as their personal identities been impersonated, undermined, endangered and abused.
Obuah insisted that he did not only get the reports but went ahead to confirm that APC leaders and members under the pretext of revalidating their membership base, bought PVC’s at the cost of N5,000 in some areas while in some cases forcefully obtained it through intimidation and threat.
The chairman listed the areas seriously affected by this alleged illegal act to include Ogoni Local Government Area, ONELGA, Port-Harcourt, Obio-Akpor, Etche, Kalabari, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Opobo/Nkoro, Andoni, Oyigbo, among others.
“We are also made to believe that the act of buying PVCs with such amount is an exposition of the APC taking undue advantage of the poverty and the hard economic situation that have ravaged the nation following the insensitivity and apparently lack of vision and focus by the APC administration under President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.
Responding to PDP’s accusations, the state publicity secretary of APC, Mr. Chris Finebone, described it as another falsehood from a drowning party. He insisted that the party is carrying out registration and revalidation of its members. According to him, the exercise became imperative following the decision of some former PDP members to defect to the APC.
“I think they (PDP) have no answer to the fact that we are doing revalidation. The PDP in the state is lost about how we are doing the registration of our new members.
“We are doing this exercise based on request. There are a lot of PDP members that are no longer happy with the PDP and they are saying that they want to join us. So, we are using the opportunity to register them and revalidate the members of our members.
“It has nothing to do with the falsehood from the PDP that we are buying PVCs. The PDP is in power and they control the finance, why did they not buy PVCs from the people since they now think it is easy to purchase PVC from anybody,” he said.
Announcing its readiness to dislodge Wike, should the rerun hold, the APC recently said that it’s gubernatorial candidate, Dakuku Peterside, will win the governorship election re-run in Rivers State. The APC revealed the camp of their leader and motivator in Rivers, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, was thrown into jubilation following the Appeal Court ruling.
“On the other hand, the governor of the state, Wike, must be wondering now how to wriggle out of this misfortune. From all indications, a rerun is imminent, whether Wike appeals or not. The question now is who will carry the day?
“Most people, especially members of the PDP are upbeat that Wike will carry the day but there are undeniable facts that expose that optimism to be farfetched,” the APC said adding that its candidate in the election, Dakuku Peterside, would not only win, but would have a landslide victory.
“One, there is no way Wike and his cohorts will expect any kind of support or even sympathy from the Police or military or even INEC as all these institutions are going to be neutral now and will quickly deal with any deception from Wike and or PDP. Also, many who do not know Amaechi personally make the mistake of overlooking his doggedness but it is on record that Amaechi has never lost any political battle.
In Rivers State, there is a gentlemanly agreement between these two political blocks. Unfortunately for Wike , he is coming to replace another man from the Upland, Amaechi. Fortunately for APC, Peterside is from the Riverine area and by this agreement, Peterside has the upper hand.
Some people will argue that this is not a strong point as it did not improve Peterside’s chances before, but they forget that PDP was still in power then and Wike’s thugs were deployed with federal might to diminish this important issue. Now that Wike cannot count on the federal support, APC will play this sentiment up to their advantage.
Most importantly, most Rivers people, especially those in the riverine areas, totally adore Dakuku. Wike was totally aware of this fact and that was why he had to deploy thugs and security agents to compromise the elections. With this current scenario, there is no way Wike will remain governor,” the APC said

Pls send to my email kelechibliss@gmail.com

Enjoy while it last,2wks u will be in ur house preparing for rerun

We now have a babel of voices concerning judgments on electoral matters before the courts. The Tribunals and Court of Appeal are singing discordant tunes, allowing political considerations to be the centrepiece of their decisions.
The situation has so degenerated that a relationship with the centre gives one a clear advantage in any electoral matter before the lower courts. Without doubt, the oil-rich states of the Niger Delta are worse hit by this sad development in the nation’s judiciary.
Rivers State has suffered the most in the current wave of judicial indiscretion at the lower bench. Once the matters involve Rivers State, the Electoral Act and the constitution are thrown out of the windows. Cases decided elsewhere based on the law are disregarded when it comes to Rivers State.
The Court of Appeal has decided on all the National Assembly elections in Rivers State and judgements have been entered for the Governorship and State Assembly Elections.
In its judgment on the governorship election, the Court of Appeal claimed that there was no election anywhere in Rivers State. The court claimed that it arrived at its decision on the strength of the use of the card readers and the testimonies of just 56 witnesses.
The judgments of the Court of Appeal on all the elections in Rivers State are flawed in all respects. However, nothing can be done for the victims of the judicial error as regards the National Assembly and State Assembly elections. They will have to make the sacrifice of approaching their constituents again for the revalidation of their earlier mandate.
However, with the unfolding scenario, it is necessary to use the the disposition of the Court of Appeal to actually analyse the situation in the state.
First, the judgments churned out by the Court of Appeal have proved for the very first time, that the elections in Rivers State were held in compliance with the Electoral Act and the constitution. The fact that the Court of Appeal has upheld State Assembly elections from constituencies in all the three senatorial districts of the state show that the APC lost fairly and Governor Wike was duly elected by lawful votes cast. Out of the 32 State Constituencies , the Appeal Court upheld elections in 11 State Constituencies. That represents roughly 35 percent of the State. Yet the same Court said that the governorship election did not hold. This error is regrettable.
In one of the state constituencies upheld by the Appeal Court, that is the Port Harcourt Constituency 1, the Court held that Victoria Nyeche of the APC defeated Jones Ogbonda of the PDP in a legally conducted election. Recall that both the Governorship and State Assembly elections held on same day.
The same Appeal Court held that elections held successfully in Okrika State Constituency, Etche 1 State Constituency, Ahoada West State Constituency, Ogu/Bolo State Constituency , ONELGA 2 State Constituency, Oyigbo, Khana,Phalga 1 ,Abua/Odual and Okrika constituencies.
These were constituencies where the APC claimed violence caused elections not to the hold. Two of these constituencies, ONELGA and Ahoada West were celebrated by the APC as hotbeds of electoral violence and irregularities.
If the Appeal Court has finally admitted that elections held in these constituencies, it goes to prove that no diligent judicial review was done before the decision to annul the Rivers State Governorship Election was taken.
The controversial decisions of the Appeal Court panel on Rivers election have been premised on faulty lines already disregarded by other panels of the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court. First, the Court of Appeal panel for Rivers elections shifted the burden from the petitioners (APC ) to the respondents (PDP ).
An Appeal Court Panel sitting in Makurdi on the appeal filed by Prince Terhemen Tarzoor against the decision upholding the election of Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom held thus:
“The complaint of the Appellant under this issue is that the Tribunal had misplaced the burden of proof on him when it said that he must win his case on the strength of his own case and not on the weakness of the Respondents’ cases or defence, was on the assertion made that the 2nd Respondent did not conduct a primary election at all for the nomination of the 1st Respondent as a candidate to contest the election in question. The Appellant calls and labels the said assertion or allegation, as a negative assertion which he has no duty to prove under the law. However, as demonstrated earlier, an assertion or allegation, can be either negative or positive, but once made by a party in a case, he owes and bears the legal burden of proof, which is fixed and static, to prove same if he expects a court or tribunal to, on its basis, make a declaration of right he claims in the case in his favour. It is a clear misconception, with due respect to counsel, to argue that the Respondents who had denied the assertion made by the petitioner as the vital and crucial point and fulcrum of his case, had the legal burden of proof of such an allegation against them merely on the basis of their denial of the assertion or allegation".
But in the state of all Rivers State elections decided so far, the Appeal Court panel moved the burden from the APC to the PDP.
In the case of the governorship election, the Rivers State APC only called only 56 witnesses. Majority of these witnesses had nothing to do with the governorship election at the polling unit. They were soldiers, mobile policemen and DSS operatives detailed by the Security High Command to lie in court. Even where the exact officers who personally provided security for the elections testified, they were ignored.
Even at that, these few 56 witnesses' testimonies in line with the Supreme Court position on the required proofs to void an election represent just 56 polling units out of the 4442 polling units for the entire state. It is unheard of that courts would rely on gossips or hearsay to decide electoral matters.
According to the Supreme Court, a petitioner can only prove that elections did not hold by calling a voter per polling unit to prove his case. Therefore, a petitioner cannot rely on blanket frivolous allegations like APC have done to get judgment in an electoral dispute.
Deciding the election petition filed by Senator Ucha against the election of former Governor Elechi of Ebonyi State in 2012, the Supreme Court declared:
“The results declared by INEC are prima facie correct and the onus is on the petitioner to prove the contrary. Where a petitioner complains of non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), he has a duty to prove it polling unit by polling unit, ward by ward and the standard of proof is on the balance of probabilities and not on minimal proof. He must show figures that the adverse party was credited with as a result of the non-compliance, Forms EC8A, election materials not stamped/signed by Presiding Officers. He must establish that non-compliance was substantial, that it affected the election result. ".
Now, there is the issue of the qualification to contest the Rivers State elections in the state first place. Section 85 (1) spells out clearly that a political party must give INEC 21 days notice before holding a valid primary. Failure to do this implies that no primary was held. It was on the premise of the APC’S failure to observe Section 85 (1) that the Appeal Court panel upheld the election of Prince Nnam Obi of representing ONELGA /Ahoada West at the House of Representatives. It was also on the basis of Section 85 (1) that the same Appeal Court dismissed the appeal of Labour Party against the election of Governor Wike.
Only this week, the Court of Appeal nullified the election of Senator Uche Ekwunife of the PDP on the strength that she was not validly nominated.
According to the Appeal Court panel that sat in Enugu :
“Nomination is part and parcel of qualification to stand for an election and since an election can be challenged on the grounds of lack of qualification, it follows that the appropriate forum to challenge it after the election is held is the Election Tribunal".
However, the Appeal Court panel that that considered all the appeals on the Rivers State elections deviated from this norm. Instead, they chose to support the illegality wherein the APC conducted no valid primary in the state. Based on the Electoral Act, APC had no governorship candidate, no National Assembly candidates or State Assembly candidates.
Finally, there is the issue of card reader accreditation. The Appeal Court panel for Rivers elections elevated the card reader accreditation above the Electoral Act and the constitution. The Electoral Act spells out the process of accreditation during an election.
The electoral dispute between Jimi Agbaje (PDP ) and the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode (APC ) is the most prominent case to cite on the issue of card reader accreditation. The Appeal Court threw out Agbaje's appeal in a considered opinion.
Justice Ogbuinya, the presiding judge of the Appeal Court panel held that: “The paragraph (13b) displays a vitriolic attack on the irregularities germinating from the improper or non-use of the smart card readers in the polling units.
“As it is, it has no life of its own as a ground. It endeavours to introduce the defects in the use of smart card readers. The evolution of the concept of smart card reader is a familiar one. It came to being during the last general election. On this score, it is a nascent procedure injected into our infant and fledgling electoral system to ensure credible and transparent election.
“The extant Electoral Act (2010) which predates the concept (of card reader) is not its parent or progenitor. Since it is not the progeny of the Electoral Act, fronting it as a ground to challenge any election does not have its (the Electoral Act’s) blessing, nay Section 138 (1) of it.
“Put simply, a petitioner cannot project the non-presence or improper use of smart card reader as a ground for questioning an election. It does not qualify as one."
The preceding paragraphs on the Lagos State Governorship Dispute between the PDP and the APC rests the issue on card reader accreditation. It brings to the fore the errors that invalidate the Appeal Court judgments on Rivers elections.
In Delta State, the Appeal Court similarly dismissed the card reader as the basis for the nullification of an election in the appeal filed by Great Ogboru of Labour Party who challenged the election of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
Justice Abba-Aji in the lead judgment of the Court of Appeal held that Ogboru merely relied on records of the card reader accreditation without demonstrating the documents by credible evidence.
She held that Ogboru never challenged the evidence of the respondents and even his own witnesses that the card readers had challenges in many part of the states and that apart from the use of card reader, there was also manual accreditation.
While the National and State Assembly elections have come and gone, the judiciary still has the opportunity to remedy its dwindling image in relation to the Rivers State Governorship Election.
The onus to address the errors of the Appeal Court panel that sat on Rivers State elections rests squarely with the Supreme Court. These erroneous judgments of the Appeal Court panel should be confined to the dustbin of history. They have damaged the electoral jurisprudence, but the Supreme Court must come to the rescue. Irrespective of whose political ox is gored, the Supreme Court must rise to the occasion.
From all indications, immediate past Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi has concluded plans to use Rivers State as a collateral to remain relevant in Abuja after squandering over N3trillion in the worst governance tragedy of our time. Amaechi and his political crooks who have been fingered in the worst judicial misrepresentation of all time. The National Judicial Council should act on the petition filed against the Appeal Court panel that failed the Justice system. This is the only that the reforms the Chief Justice of Nigeria promised dissatisfied Nigerians will be effected. Indicted Amaechi is using these illegally acquired funds to compromise the judiciary. The facts are with the EFCC and Nigerians are waiting for the Commission to act.
Simeon Nwakaudu,
Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media.

APC will surely win Rivers,Mark my word! Wike will be sacked by 1st or 2nd week of january and the chief judge will take over.wike is a gonner

She was confirmed by "sacked lawmaker" in the "Night". Get ready all of U will be scattered by fire once a new Governor takes over in March 2016

Supreme court Loading to Sack Wike Next month

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja ordered for a fresh election in almost all the Constituencies in Rivers State leaving the Peoples Democratic Party with few Lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Here they Are
1. Asari Toru 1. - Hope Barango-Tariah of the APC defeated Hon Enemi Alagbo George of the PDP
2. Asari Toru 2. - Godstime Ben-Horsfall of the APC defeated Hon Granville Tekenari Wellignton of the PDP
3. Ahoada-East 2. - Ibiso Nwuche of the APC defeated Hon Ehie Ogerenye Edison of the PDP
4. Akuku Toru. 1. - Ineye Jack of the APC defeated Hon Jack Major of the PDP
5. Andoni. - Romnsan Dressman of the APC defeated Rt Hon Ikuinyi Owaji Igbanyi of the PDP
6. Degema. - Eldred Braide of the APC defeated Hon Fara Dagogo of the PDP
7. Etche 2 - Golden Ben-Chioma of the APC defeated Hon Opurum Nwuzoma of the PDP
8. Ikwerre - Azubuike Wanjoku of the APC defeated Hon Anslem Oguguo of the PDP
9. Khana 2. - Friday Nkee-ee of the APC defeated Hon Deeyah Bariene of the PDP
10 Obio/Akpor 1. - Collins Ordu of the APC defeated Hon Martins Amaewhule of the PDP
11 Obio/Akpor 2. - Belief Wali of the APC defeated Hon Okechukwu Chindah of the PDP
12: Emohua:Chidi Lloyd of APC defeated Hon Sam Ogeh of PDP
13 Omuma. - Leo Anyanwu of the APC defeated Hon Kelechi Godspower Nwogu of the PDP
I4 ONELGA Constituency 2 :Gift Nwokocha of the APC defeated Hon Uwaji Nathaniel Elendu of the PDP
15. Tai. - Matthew Dike of the APC defeated Hon Ngbar Sylvester of the PDP.
16. PHALGA Constituency 2 : Irene Inimgba of the APC defeated Hon Adoki Tonye Smart of the PDP
17: Ogu-Bolo Hon Evans Bipi of the PDP defeated The APC candidate
18: Phalga 1 Hon. Victoria Wobo Nyeche of the APC defeated Hon Ogbonda Jones Nwene of the PDP as the Court ordered INEC to issue her with the Certificate of Return
19: Etche Constituency 1 :Hon Oguguo Iroanya Nwauzoma of the PDP defeated the APC candidate.
20: Eleme Constituency :Hon Josiah Johnson Olu of the APC lost to the PDP candidate.
21: Golden Ben Chioma of the APC defeated Hon Tony Uchechukwu Ejiogu of the PDP.
22 Ahoada West Constituency Hon. Okpokiri Nwanaka Okpokiri of the PDP defeated the APC candidate
23: Opobo Constituency :Andrew Miller of the APC defeated Hon Diri Kelly Adonye of the PDP.
24: Rt Hon Daboturidima Adams of his PDP has had his election upheld before now
25:Akuku Toru :Benibo Anabraba of the APC defeated Hon Tonye Alalibo of the PDP
26:Khana Constituency 1: Hon Deeyah Bariene of the PDP Defeated Legborsi Nwidadah of the APC
27: Bonny Constituency : The APC candidate defeated Hon Abinye Blessing Pepple of the PDP.
28: Hon:Christian Ahiakwo of the PDP defeated the APC candidate.
29: PHALGA 3: Hon Victor Ihunwo Nyeche of the PDP defeated Chima Nnokam of the APC
NOTE :Only Three Constituencies are left and they are
AHOADA-EAST, OYIBO and Abua Oduah

@ngenekwenu,has the court closed for today? They only delivered 4 judgement today

@ngeneukwunu,I want to know if Hon Evan Bipi representing ogobulo constituency under Pdp was sacked?

Victoria nyeche declared winner for phalga constituenct 1(APC) Josiah olu (APC) partialy lost to pdp but only in 4 wards of eleme constituency

2 more state lawmakers sacked right now making it 18 sacked

Wike is a gonner already,and he knows he cannot be a governor again.

During the rerun APC and Pdp will share the senate,house of rep n state assembly seats

dustmalik:
Kcmichael, so there is still possibility of other lawmakers being sacked?

Yea many will be sacked today and only 2 or 3 seat will remain
The current speaker cased has been decided so he remain
The only APC in the house has no challenger
The phalga const. 11 will be declared winner
So after all. 3 seats will be spared comprising 2 APC and 1Pdp

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja yesterday nullified sixteen State House of Assembly Elections held in Rivers State, the Court ordered INEC to conduct a fresh elections within 60days and 90days respectively.
Here are the comprehensive List.
1. Asari Toru 1. - Hope Barango-Tariah of the APC defeated Hon Enemi Alagbo George of the PDP
2. Asari Toru 2. - Godstime Ben-Horsfall of the APC defeated Hon Granville Tekenari Wellignton of the PDP
3. Ahoada-East 2. - Ibiso Nwuche of the APC defeated Hon Ehie Ogerenye Edison of the PDP
4. Akuku Toru. 1. - Ineye Jack of the APC defeated Hon Jack Major of the PDP
5. Andoni. - Romnsan Dressman of the APC defeated Rt Hon Ikuinyi Owaji Igbanyi of the PDP
6. Degema. - Eldred Braide of the APC defeated Hon Fara Dagogo of the PDP
7. Etche 2 - Golden Ben-Chioma of the APC defeated Hon Opurum Nwuzoma of the PDP
8. Ikwerre - Azubuike Wanjoku of the APC defeated Hon Anslem Oguguo of the PDP
9. Khana 2. - Friday Nkee-ee of the APC defeated Hon Deeyah Bariene of the PDP
10 Obio/Akpor 1. - Collins Ordu of the APC defeated Hon Martins Amaewhule of the PDP
11 Obio/Akpor 2. - Belief Wali of the APC defeated Hon Okechukwu Chindah of the PDP
12 Ogu/Bolo. - Williams I. S. Enos of the APC defeated Hon Evans Bipi of the PDP
13 Omuma. - Leo Anyanwu of the PDP defeated Hon Kelechi Godspower Nwogu of the PDP
I4 ONELGA. - Gift Wokocha of the APC defeated Hon Uwaji Elendu Nathaniel of the PDP
15. Tai. - Matthew Dike of the APC defeated Hon Ngbar Sylvester of the PDP.
16. PHALGA Constituency 2 : Irene Inimgba of the APC defeated Hon Adoki Tonye Smart of the PDP
From the above, APC won all the 16 decided cases yesterday and Re-run ordered in all of them within 60days and 90days respectively

More seats to be nullified ttoday
Rivers state has 32 state Lawmakers(16 sacked,more to be sacked today)
Rivers state has 3 senate seats(all sacked)
Rivers state has 13 House od Rep(12 sacked)

The Governor Wike will be sacked by January 2016

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja few minutes ago nullified the election of Hon Dinebari Loolo, member representing Khana Constituency 2 in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Recall that the Rivers State election petition tribunal had in October while rulling on the petition brought by the APC candidate Mr Friday Nyeche nullified the said election on grounds that it was marred by massive rigging and violence.
But Hon Dinebari Loolo Appealed the Tribunal Judgement at the Court of Appeal.
The court of Appeal while ruling on the Appeal by Hon Dinebari Loolo stated that his Appeal lack merit and subsequently dismissed the Appeal.
The court ordered INEC to conduct a fresh election in the Area within 90days from today the Judgement was delivered

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja will today Tuesday the 22nd December 2015 deliver judgement on the Rivers State House of Assembly Seats.
Although some of the Lawmakers elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party had their elections upheld by the Rivers State National and State Assembly election petition tribunal last October, there are strong indications that the Appeal court will Nullify almost all the Assembly Seats.
Since last week the Appeallate court upheld the Earlier Judgement of the Rivers State Governorship election petition tribunal which ordered INEC to conduct a fresh election in Rivers State, Most of the Lawmakers seems to have gotten the signs of what await them from today.
The court will deliver judgment on the Appeals file by various Parties in Rivers State House of Assembly Seats before the End of today.

The real issue here is the former speaker knows Appeal court will sack Him with other 28 state assembly member leaving with house just 3 people( I APC Man whose case is not challenged,another APC women whom appeal will outrighly declare her winner and one Pdp whose case the Appeal have decided already).since what will remain is 2APC vs 1pdp,APC will form a Quorom n elect a speaker who may automatically be the Caretaker governor after wike is sacked.so Pdp saw this and quickly outsmarted the APC.the battle is still raging,let's see what happens

High Tension Without Power Is Nothing, APC tells Wike
After months of pretence and living in denial, the Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesom Wike, yesterday, in full glare of the world on live television, threw all caution to the wind when he confirmed that he was responsible for all the killing and maiming that characterised the 2015 elections as he openly told his PDP faithful to be ready to unleash violence in the forthcoming re-run elections in Rivers State
The governor who addressed his supporters at the Port Harcourt International Airport on arrival from Abuja and later at another event in Port Harcourt, asked his members to not only return any slap given to them but do so in threefold, among other unprintable things.
His audience was shocked when he warned that Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] officials sent to Rivers State who contemplates carrying out malpractices should first write their will as they will be put to instant death.
To all decent minds that saw or listened to the statements of the governor yesterday, Nyesom Wike’s vituperations were the ranting of a drowning man or, better put, the ranting of a frustrated Internally Displaced Politician [IDP].
In all, Nyesom Wike, by his unguarded utterances yesterday unbecoming of even a councillor, confirmed that he is behind the violence and criminality that are strangulating Rivers State since he came to power.
For the APC, what happened yesterday was God’s way of exposing a man who has been living in falsehood in order to fool the people and even God Himself. All the pretences about worshiping God by paying visits to churches and holding prayer sessions for the benefit of television cameras were mere attempts to mock God by Nyesom Wike but God cannot be mocked.
The APC wishes to remind Nyesom Wike that his unguarded diatribe against the Nigerian State, President Muhammadu Buhari and innocent Rivers people will not be taken lightly. While immunity protects a governor from prosecution, it does not protect him from investigation.
We call on the relevant authorities especially the INEC to hold Nyesom Wike responsible for any violence or harm that may be done to INEC personnel while on duty during the forthcoming re-run elections in Rivers State.
The APC believes that Nyesom Wike was merely talking tough to mask his inner despondency and misery arising from his recent legal losses. However, we are smart enough to take notice. We hear he is called High Tension, but High Tension without POWER is NOTHING