Rivers Election: Dakuku, APC, open case at the tribunal

After 110 days of legal rigmarole, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate for the April 11, 2015 election, Dr. Dakuku Peterside finally opened their case before the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal amidst protest by Governor Nyesom Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the appointment of a new chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Adamu Guroma.

Dakuku and his political platform, the APC yesterday called eight witnesses to prove that the April 11, 2015 governorship election in the state was not only fraught with manifest irregularities, but was also conducted with total disregard to relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
But this was not without stiff opposition mounted by the respondents, who questioned the appointment of a new Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Guroma, who replaced Justice Muazu Pindiga. Counsel to Wike, Mr. Emmanuel Ukala said they were worried by the development in view of fears and reports that the change was to favour a particular party.
Ukala, who informed the tribunal of his intention to protest against the decision at the appropriate authorities asked the tribunal for an adjournment to enable him consult with his client on the next line of action to take.

Counsel to INEC, Chief Onyekachi Ikpeazu [SAN] however, preferred to be neutral on the issue.

But responding, lead counsel to the petition, Chief Akinlolu Olujunmi, SAN, said “What we have to digest is the important fact that time is against us in this petition and everything that needs to be done to fast track the hearing of the petition must be done. In realization of this fact, we urged the tribunal to allow us to call our witnesses.”