Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP have vowed to challenge the ruling of the state governorship election tribunal that annulled his election as the River State Governor.
According to the lawyer representing the PDP, Chris Uche, Wike will remain the governor until appeal on the matter is determined.
Mr. Wike ‘s election was nullified on Saturday by the Rivers State Governor ship Election Tribunal, which ordered a fresh poll.
The tribunal, headed by Suleiman Ambrosa has maintained the petitioner, All Progressives Congress’ candidate Dakuku Peterside proved his claim that the election was fraudulent.
Speaking with journalists after the judgment, counsel to the PDP, Chris Uche, said Mr. Wike remained governor until the appeal processes were exhausted.
Uche stated that the judgment delivered by Justice Ambrosa-led Tribunal must be tested in the interest of justice.
According to him, the tribunal’s reliance on Card Reader accreditation to nullify the governorship election, when the Respondents and the petitioners confirmed that both card reader and manual accreditation were used for the election,
requires an appeal.
He said it was 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.
Mr. Uche said the tribunal was aware that the Supreme Court judgment on the jurisdiction of the tribunal outside of Rivers State would be delivered on Tuesday.
He said the tribunal had 7 days to deliver its judgment, but chose to do so in less than two days.
In its judgment, Justice Suleiman Ambrosa ruled that the card reader accreditation was vital to the election and the votes recorded.
Ambrosa noted that on the balance of probability, he was inclined to believe the petitioner witnesses ahead of the witnesses of the Respondents.
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