Rivers Guber Poll Tribunal: Stay Action On New Panel, Court Orders A’Court President …As Wike Pledges More Projects Delivery …Commissions Rebranded Secondary School In Ubima Community

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has ordered the President of the Court of Appeal, the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal, the defeated Governorship Candidate of African Action Congress (AAC), Engineer Biokpomabo Awara, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and others not to take any steps that will render nugatory the outcome of an originating summons filed before it.
Ruling on Suit Number: FHC/PH/CS/203/2019 filed by the African Action Congress (AAC) against the President of the Court of Appeal, the Rivers State Election Tribunal, defeated Governorship Candidate of African Action Congress (AAC), Biokpomabo Awara, INEC and others for the interpretation of Section 233 (1), Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Justice J.K Omotosho said: “That all parties in this suit are hereby ordered not to make any act or take any steps that will render this suit nugatory or overreach the outcome of the originating summons.
“That the originating summons is hereby adjourned is hereby adjourned till the 13th day of September, 2019 for hearing.
“That if this matter is not ripe for hearing on the 13th of September, 2019, as a result of the failure on the part of the plaintiff, this court will not hesitate to strike out this suit as time is of the essence in post election matters”.
The court granted leave that the suit filed by the AAC be heard during the 2019 vacation period of the court.
Justice Omotosho ordered: “That the originating summons shall be served on all parties within 24hours from today.
“That the respondents shall respond to the originating summons within 72hours of service of same on them.
“That the plaintiff shall reply to the response of the defendants within 24hours of being served with the response of the defendants.
“That the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal that sat on 7th of September, 2019, is not precluded from continuing its proceedings”.
Justice Omotosho further ordered that: “That the pending suit shall not stop the said Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal that sat on the 7th of September, 2019 from continuing its proceedings “.
The defendants in the suit include: the President of the Court of Appeal, the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal, defeated Governorship Candidate of African Action Congress (AAC), Biokpomabo Awara, INEC, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike and the PDP.
The court made the ruling upon reading the nine paragraphs affidavit in support of motion ex-parte sworn to by Wisdom Thompson and after hearing Henry Bello (Esq), counsel to the AAC.
The AAC in its originating summons is seeking a declaration that by virtue of the provisions of Section 233 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the President of the Court of Appeal is not conferred with the powers to review the judgments of the Court of Appeal.
The AAC is also seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the President of Court of Appeal from reviewing the judgments of the Court of Appeal by setting up a new panel based on a letter by the defeated Governorship Candidate of AAC in Rivers State, Engr Biokpomabo Awara.
The AAC further sought an order of the Federal High Court setting aside any administrative directive of the President of the Court of Appeal for the setting up of the said new panel of the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has assured that he would continue to deliver key projects across the state all through his second term with the aim of improving the living standard of the people who gave him the mandate to govern.
Commissioning the rebranded Government Secondary School, Ubima (former Community Secondary School, Ubima), yesterday, Wike said that he would not be affected by the second term syndrome.
The governor said: “We will continue to work as if this is our first term. We will never go to sleep all through our second term.
“For us, we shall continue to deliver projects for our people. There will be no stoppage in the execution of projects. Our people will continue to see new projects”.
Wike called for the prayers and support of Rivers people, so that he can continue to work towards improving the state.
“We seek your prayers and support as we continue to develop Rivers State. God has been kind to us, so nobody can intimidate us with propaganda and blackmail. We shall remain focused”, he said.
Wike, who changed the name of the school from Community Secondary School, Ubima, to Government Secondary School, Ubima, explained that he had promised to rebuild the school during his electioneering campaign, and to the glory of God, that promise has been fulfilled.
The state chief executive emphasised that the state government would develop boarding facilities for students of the school.
He reiterated the commitment of his administration to the construction of educational facilities across the state to expand access to education.
The governor commended the Rivers State Ministry of Education for its wonderful supervisory role in delivering the project.
Wike upgraded the traditional stool of Ubima to first class status, and announced that the Paramount Ruler of Ubima, Eze I.E. William is now a first class traditional ruler.
In his remarks, the former Rivers State Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia, said Governor Wike has delivered a brand new school for the town, adding that the governor added several new facilities to the institution.
He said that with the upgrade of facilities in the school, it is now one of the best in the whole of Ikwerre land.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr Adonye Dagogo-Hart, said that Wike added new blocks of classrooms, laboratories, staff quarters, administrative block and computer centre to the institution.
He said the investment of Wike has turned around the fortunes of the school.
The Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Mr Samuel Nwanosike, described Wike as a leader who understands the developmental needs of his people.
He said that the people of Ikwerre Local Government Area are happy that the governor has done what nobody thought is possible.
The commissioning of the project attracted traditional rulers, politicians, youth groups, women groups, staff and students of the school.