The Peoples Democratic Party has declared the verdict of the Rivers State governorship election tribunal sitting in Abuja as bias, bizarre and unacceptable.
The party expressed its position on the judgement in a press statement that was signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Olisa Metuh.
He said that the judgement is part of the ruling All Progressives Congress plot to manipulate the will of the people
The Peoples Democratic Party is also picking fault with the 24-hour time frame after the various counsels to the case submitted their written addresses to the tribunal, saying the judgement was delivered in a hurry.
Mr Metuh also called on the international community to note plots by the ruling party to upturn the party’s victory in other states including Taraba, Abia and Delta states.
The Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, on Saturday, nullified the election of Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party as the Governor of Rivers State, on grounds that his election did not comply with electoral guidelines.
Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Suleiman Ambrosa , ordered INEC to conduct fresh elections in the state within 90 days of the ruling.
Deadly Blow To Impunity
However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described Saturday’s judgement of the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal that overturned the election of Governor Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party as a deadly body blow to impunity and hooliganism.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party said that the judgement has shown clearly that the era of impunity and hooliganism was over and that the only way for elections to have legitimacy is for them to be free, fair and credible.
The party hailed its governorship candidate in Rivers, Mr Dakuku Peterside, for his doggedness and strong conviction in the pursuit of his petition against the election of Wike that was not only marred by widespread violence and electoral malfeasance, but also acknowledged to be so by local and international observers and now, by the judiciary.
Wike To Appeal
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike say that they will appeal the judgment of the Rivers State Governorship tribunal.
Counsel to the PDP, Chris Uche (SAN), said that Governor Nyesom Wike remains governor until the appeal processes are exhausted.
He added that the nature of the judgment delivered by the Justice Ambrosa-led tribunal makes appeal vital as the new position adopted by the tribunal must be tested in the interest of justice.
Just as the PDP said, the lawyer also found it shocking that less than 24 hours after lawyers on all sides submitted nine written addresses and documents, the tribunal sent notice that judgment would be delivered on Saturday morning.
