Rivers Election Tribunal Gets 14 Petitions …Begins Sitting, May 16

The Election Tribunal in Rivers State has received a total of 14 election petitions challenging the outcome of the National Assembly election conducted on April 9, 2011 in the state.

The Tide investigation revealed that the three senators- elect on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the three senatorial districts of the state are being challenged by the candidates of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Peoples Mandate Party (PMP).

In the election Petition number EPT/NASE/PH/3/2011 filed by Ayo Akan, counsel in Kanu Agabi and Associates before the tribunal, Dr Nomate Kpea, senatorial candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is challenging the election of Senator–elect, Magnus Abe of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Rivers South-East senatorial district.

Also, Chief Abraham Igwe Eke, the senatorial candidate of Peoples Mandate Party (PMP), Barrister Shedrack Akalokwu, the senatorial candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Chief Ighobo Edum Obaghama, the senatorial candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance  (APGA) are individually challenging the declaration of Chief Wilson Ake as the Senator-elect on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party for Rivers West Senatorial district.

Similarly, in the petition number EPT/NASE/PH/1/2011, Pastor Leslic Chizi Michael Atata, the senatorial candidate of the Action Alliance (AC) is challenging the declaration of Senator George Thompson Sekibo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the senator-elect for the Rivers East senatorial district in the April general elections in Rivers State.

In the Federal House of Representatives, Election Petition No EPT/NAHR/PH/7/2011, Chief Ambrose Nwuzi, Action Congress of Nigeria candidate for Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency dragged Hon Ogonna Nwuke, of the PDP before the election tribunal.

Hon Tobins Oyekode candidate of (APGA) in election petition No EPT/NAHR/PH/2/2011 and Gogo Kiikpoye, (ACN) candidate in petition No EPT/NAHR/PH/4/2011 individually challenge the declaration of Hon Betty Apiafi, candidate of the Peoples Demcratic Party for Abual/Odual/Ahoada East federal constituency as the representative-elect.

In the same vein, Reason Rewo M. Onya, candidate of  (ACN) and Mr Ovievai Onisokumeni Zodonu, candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance are separately challenging the declaration of Honourable Asita, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for Ahoada West/Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni federal constituency as the representative-elect in the election petition No EPT/NAHR/PH/8/2011.

Hon Pastor (Mrs) Nancy Nwankwo, candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria is challenging the declaration of Hon Barry Mpigi, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party as the winner of Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo federal constituency in the election while Grace Bellgam, candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria petitioned the election of Hon Dakuku Peterside, candidate of Peoples Democratic Party for Opobo/Nkoro/Andoni federal constituency as well as Prince Cletus Kpekpon, candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria who challenged the election of Maurice Pronen, candidate of PDP for Khana/Gokana federal constituency.

Opunabo C. Inko Tariah, candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria is challenging the election of Dr Dawari George elected candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for Asari-Toru/Akuku-Toru federal constituency .

Meanwhile, no single petition was filed against the governorship and state House of Assembly before the election petition tribunal in the state.

According to the clerk of the election petition tribunal  in High Court 16 who pleaded anonymity, the Tribunal would commence sitting from  May 16th, 2011 in the old High Court 16 complex.

However, from the processes filed by various petitioners, arguments are based on section 138 (b) (c) of the electoral Act amended 2010. Section 138(b) stated’ that the election was invalid by reason of corrupt practices or non compliance with the provisions of the Act.

Section 138(c) stated” that the respondent was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast at the election.

Meanwhile, the Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr Ola Makinde, has urged the various election tribunals to be fair and transparent in the discharge of their duties.

He said fairness and transparency on the part of tribunal members would help to reinforce the wishes of the electorate.

Makinde gave the advice in a statement obtained by newsmen, he said the only way to ensure that aggrieved parties, with legitimate claims were pacified and the victory of those who righteously earned it was validated, was to make the trial process transparent and just.

“The country, in the last few weeks, has witnessed some of the freest and fairest elections in her history.

“But like every imperfect institution, there must have been some fairly disputable results which have necessitated the search for legal redress now available at the election tribunals.

“It behooves on members of these tribunals to do everything possible to ensure that justice is done in these cases.

“They must be above board and adhere strictly to their professional ethics and the oath which they swore to,” he said in the statement by the church’s Media and Information Officer, Rev. Oladapo Daramola.

Makinde urged the judiciary to strive to clear its name in the court of public opinion, considering the enormity of some accusations that had been levelled against it.

The cleric said the tribunals’ sittings presented yet another opportunity for the judiciary “to win back the public and ensure sanity in its ranks’’.

According to him, the outcome of the tribunals’ sittings will lend credibility to the 2011 elections.

“It is not merely of some importance, but it is of fundamental importance that justice should not only be done, but should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done,” Makinde stressed.

He lauded past judicial pronouncements on disputed polls and urged the bench to do more.

“The saying that justice delayed is justice denied should be an important watchword for effective judicial trials.

“They must avoid corruption in any form and desist from denying just to the justice deny the just of justice or give undue advantage to those who are undeserving of it,” Makinde said.

Philip Okparaji