PIC. 14. CROSS-SECTION OF JUDGES AT THE OPENING CEREMONY FOR THE 2015-2016 FCT LEGAL YEAR IN ABUJA ON MONDAY (26/10/15). 3839/26/10/2015/OTU/BJO/NAN
The Elections petition tribunals sitting in Abuja have sacked Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Owaji Ibani and 20 other lawmakers. Ibani is representing Andoni constituency in the state assembly.
The lawmakers were elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party on April 11 2015 in an election reportedly marred by irregularities.
The development is coming barely three days after a tribunal also nullified the election of Nyesom Wike as governor of the state.
Similarly, the Leader of the State Assembly, Martins Amaewhule representing Obio-Akpor constituency 1 was also removed.
Also cancelled are Tai State Constitituency, Obio-Akpor Constituencies One and Two, Akuku-Toru One and Two, Opobo Nkoro, Bonny, as well Degeme, ONELGA One, Gokana Constituencies one and two and Etche Two Constituency.
DAILY POST reports that the State and National Assembly Election Tribunal held that the PDP candidates for Tai and Gokana were not duly elected due to substantial noncompliance with the regulations of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The Tribunal ordered fresh elections to be conducted in the affected constituencies within ninety days.
In his reaction; Matthew Dike of the APC in Tai Constituency dedicated the judgment to God, adding that he was confident of victory in the re-run.
On his part; the APC candidate for Gokana State Constituency, Innocent Barikor thanked God and assured that he was ready for another round of election.
The lawmaker representing Degema Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Farah Dagogo, described the Election Petition Tribunal that nullified his election as vexatious.
A statement released by the lawmaker explained that he has already began the process of appealing the provocative judgement.
The election for Oyigbo Constituency was upheld by the Tribunal, as well the election PDP’s KELECHI NWORGU for Omuma State Constituency.
Also upheld are the elections for Ogu-Bolo, Abua-Odual, ONELGA Two, PHALGA One and Three, Emohua and Ahoada West.
The former Leader of the Rivers state House of Assembly, Chidi Lloyd who contested to represent Emohua Constituency said the dismissal of his election by the Justice Mu’azu pindiga-led tribunal on the ground that his political party, the APC, did not give INEC the mandatory 21 days notice for primaries is not in order.
Lloyd who made references to the court of appeal ruling that decided the 21 day matter in Wike versus Peterside and Dawari versus Goodhead said he will not hesitate to Appeal the Judgement of Justice Pindiga.
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