The Rivers State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, struck out a motion filed by Governor Nyesom Wike challenging Dr Dakuku Peterside’s eligibility to contest the 2015 governorship election in the South-South state.
The tribunal Chairman, Justice Muazu Pindiga, ruled that Peterside met the 21 days notice for the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries as provided in the Electoral Act.
Wike’s counsel Emmanuel Ukala, had on July 22, moved a motion, alleging that the APC did not observe the 21 days mandatory notification of its candidate before the election.
“The APC did not observe the 21 days Electoral Act declaration under which it is to notify INEC of its candidate before its primary elections.
“So, the document presented by APC on November 18, 2014 notifying INEC of its candidate does not in any way comply with the provisions of the electoral law.’’
Ukala told the tribunal that the convention/primary elections held on December 4 that produced the APC candidate to run for the 2015 general election was null and void.
He also urged the tribunal to discountenance a document produced at the tribunal notifying INEC of the time the APC conducted its convention and primary elections.
Ukala contended that the documents ought to have been presented to the tribunal before this stage and urged the tribunal not to admit it as exhibit.
Pindiga also ruled that the tribunal had jurisdiction to entertain the petition saying that the tribunal was properly constituted by the President of the court of appeal.
