More Trouble For PDP as Tribunal Sacks 20 Rivers State Lawmakers, Orders Election Rerun

 

The Rivers State legislative election petition tribunals on Monday, October 26 nullified the election of 20 out of the 32 members of the state House of Assembly.

 

The four tribunals, in separate judgments yesterday, upheld the petitions by candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the election.

 

They ordered rerun in the affected constituencies.

 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of the House, who are affected by the tribunals’ verdicts, include the Speaker Owaji Ibani from Andoni constituency..

 

The tribunals, yesterday, upheld the petitioners’ evidence, particularly in relation to allegations of irregularities and violence among other electoral malpractices.

 

The tribunals were of the view that the petitioners were, by the evidence led, able to prove their case.

 

Following the development, the PDP is now left with just 11 seats in the House. There was only one member of the APC in the House.

 

The affected lawmakers are, under the Electoral Act, entitled, within 21 days, to challenge the nullification of the elections at the appellate court.

 

The affected constituencies are Gokanna, Eleme, Obio Akpor 1 and 2, Etche 2, Opobo/Nkoro and Akukutoru 2,

 

Others are Asari Toru 1 and 2, Bonny, Tai, Onelga 1, Degemba, Ahoada East -1, Khana-1 and 2 ,Ikwerre,Phalga-2, Andoni.

 

The trbunals upheld elections in 11 constituencies won by the PDP. They are Oyigbo, Etche 1, Omuma, Ogu-Bolo, Phalga 1 and 3,Onelga 2, Abua-Odual, Ahoada West, Ahoada East 2 and Emouoha.