Election Tribunal Takes Decision On Wike’s Re-Election

The governorship election tribunal in Rivers state has dismissed the petition against the electoral victory of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.

Naija News reports that the chairman of the tribunal, Justice O.K. Kaigama dismissed the petition, filled by the Rivers State 2019 Labour Party Governorship Candidate, Chief Isaac Wonwu, following a motion for withdrawal, moved by counsel to Chief Wonwu, Mr Uche Ulemene.

Justice Kaigama while dismissing the petition against the governor of the state, also stated that the Labour Party governorship candidate withdrew the petition on his own will.

He maintained that there were no illegal agreements that necessitated the withdrawal.

The tribunal dismissed the Labour Party Petition “EPT/RS/GOV/O4/2019,” saying that the Governorship Candidate of the Labour Party withdrew the petition in the interest of the State.

Apparently, the Counsel to INEC, Abdulhakeem Mustapha (SAN) informed the tribunal that the electoral umpire filed a preliminary objection to the Petition. He stated that INEC is not opposing the application for withdrawal.

In his statement, he said that the electoral umpire had filed a preliminary objection because the petition lacked merit. He urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition.

Recall that Governor Wike has emerged as the governor of the state when he emerged victorious at the 2019 governorship election where he polled 886,264 , while the AAC Candidate scored 173,859 to emerge second.