The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its earlier claim that the Rivers State governorship election was conducted under a peaceful atmosphere.
At the resumed hearing of the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress and its governorship candidate in the state, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, INEC, produced eight witnesses that debunked the evidence by the Nigerian Army.
The Commission, alleged that the Nigerian Army authorities, in a bid to discredit the outcome of the April 11 governorship election it conducted in the state, sent soldiers that gave false evidence before the Justice Ambrose Suleiman-led panel.
The witnesses, who were all presiding officers that conducted the election, took turns and told the tribunal that election was peaceful, successful and devoid of any form of violence and their stories were corroborated by the lawyer to the electoral body, Mr Onyebuchi Ikpeazu (SAN).
Lawyers to Governor Nyesom Wike and the PDP equally affirmed the testimony of the eight witnesses.
However, the petitioner’s counsel, Mr Akin Olujimi (SAN), debunked the claims of the INEC and the other parties.
The hearing was adjourned as INEC has promised to produce more witnesses.
