Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu
The Governorship Election Petition sitting in Port Harcourt has reserved judgment in the petition filed by the Governorship candidate of the Africa Action Congress, Biokpomabo Awara against Governor Nyesom Wike, the People’s Democratic Party, and the Independent National Electoral Commission.
This followed after the lawyers to the petitioners and respondents addressed the court and adopted their written arguments.
The three man panel led by Justice Kingsley Ojeakor shortly after the court proceedings said date will be communicated to parties soon.
The Tribunal is also expected to deliver judgment in the petition filed by Victor Fingesi the gubernatorial candidate of Action Democratic Party in the 2019 governorship election in Rivers State because of the life span of the tribunal will elapse on or before 18 of this month.
Meanwhile, lawyer to Governor Wike Emma Ukala during his address asked the court to dismiss the petitions of AAC governorship candidate Mr. Awara because his state collation agent has testified before the court that election results declared by INEC were genuine.
Ukala added that witnesses presented by both AAC party and its governorship candidate contradicted each other while lawyer to INEC argued that nobody has opposed the commission declaration of the governorship election as such the petition should be dismissed.
On his part, lawyer to AAC party Henry Bello urged the court to dismiss the petition of Mr. Awara and enter consent judgment because the witnesses he presented has clarified that election held in Rivers State and the party conceded defeat and congratulated Governor Wike.
On his part lawyer to AAC governorship candidate, Emenike Ebete urged the tribunal to nullify the election and order for a fresh re-run or declare his client the valid winner of the election.
Mr. Ebete claimed that INEC also allegedly agreed to the fact that the election was marred with violence through the publication the commission made before it later declared Governor Wike the winner of the election on April 3rd.
