The Rivers state Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja has dismissed the petition filed by the Labour party seeking to nullify the April 11, 2015 Governorship election in the state.
According to our reporter, the petition was dismissed following the absence of a beneficiary.
The Labour Party including the All Progressives Congress, APC alongside the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA petitioned the Justice Muazu Pindiga-led tribunal, calling for a re-run of the election on the grounds that the elections were flawed and marred with violence.
DAILY POST recalls that the Labour Party in Rivers state was the only party that challenged PDP’s victory without its candidate, Tonye Princewill.
In his reaction to the ruling, state Chairman of the party, Mr. Favour expressed surprise at the outcome of the tribunal.
He told DAILY POST that the party will immediately approach the Appeal Court to challenge the ruling of the tribunal.
He said, “I really don’t know what they used in dismissing our petition, but they said it is based on candidature which was not what the motion was all about.
“The Judge said if they nullify the Governorship election which candidate will run the election? So we are just surprised to hear this kind of judgement.
“We have decided to appeal the judgment because the Supreme Court has already said it is not the candidate that runs the election, it is the party. So since the party has the right to file a petition, why tell us we don’t have a candidate.
The Governorship candidate of Labour Party, Tonye Princewill decided not to contest the victory of Governor Nyesom Wike at the polls, saying his interest is the growth and development of Rivers State and its people.
The tribunal will on Monday rule on the eligibility of the Governorship candidate of APGA, Charles Harry to contest the April 11 election.
The election petition tribunal will also rule on the motion challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal to seat in Abuja.
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