The Rivers State election petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, has dismissed the application of the state Governor, Nyesom Wike, which challenged its jurisdiction.
Wike had challenged the Tribunal’s jurisdiction, questioning its sitting in Abuja instead of Port Harcourt.
However, in a ruling on Monday, the Tribunal ruled that it had the jurisdiction to sit in Abuja and entertain the hearing.
Lead Judge, Justice Muazu Pindiga, said the motion brought by Governor Wike lacked merit and substance
Justice Pindiga held that the tribunal has not erred in law, stressing that the tribunal could not seat in Port Harcourt because of security concerns.
Meanwhile, the governorship candidate of the APC in Rivers state, Dakuku Peterside, who spoke to newsmen after the ruling, expressed satisfaction with the ruling.
Peterside reiterated his earlier position that the governorship election of April 11 in Rivers State fell far short of election standards.
“I now expect accelerated hearing of the substantive matter on its merit so the world will know if there were elections in Rivers Stare or not.
“Nobody should benefit from visiting violence on the people and violating electoral laws.
“Impunity must stop so our society will be one of equal opportunity for all,” Dakuku said.
In another motion, Wike is challenging the eligibility of the APC candidate for the poll in Rivers State.
Wike, as at the last hearing, had through his counsel, E.C Ukala, told the Tribunal that Dakuku Peterside should not have been a candidate in the first instance since according to him, APC failed to fulfill the period of notice.
However, Peterside, through his lead counsel, Akin Olunjimi, urged the Tribunal to dismiss the application, saying APC satisfied every condition for Peterside’s candidacy.
The Tribunal will on Wednesday deliver ruling on the matter of Peterside’s eligibility.
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