More Troubles For Wike, PDP As Tribunal Again Sacks Speaker, 19 Rivers Lawmakers

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News From The State Monday, October 26th, 2015

By Ayo Balogun

BALTIMORE, MD (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – About 48 hours after the election of Governor Nyesom Wike was cancelled, the Rivers State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja on Monday nullified the election of the Speaker, Owaji Ibani and 19 of the PDP Lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Only last Saturday, the Justice Ambrosa led Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had nullified Wike’s election on the account that the election was marred with violence, riggings and irregularities.

Similarly, the House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal annulled the election of 20 PDP state lawmakers on the account of violence and irregularities even as it ordered that fresh election be conducted within 90 days.

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.

However, the tribunals 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 embattled lawmakers are under the Electoral Act entitled within 21 days, to challenge the nullification of their elections at the appellate court.

Recall that the last general election in Rivers was characterised by killings, bloodsheds, electoral frauds even as many local and foreign election observers called for its outright cancellation.