Rivers Governorship Poll: INEC closes defence, explains that 16 witnesses addressed APC’S petition

The Independent  National  Electoral  Commission, INEC,  on  Tuesday  closed her defence  of  the  victory  of  Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike in the April  11 governorship election,  declaring  that the 16 witnesses  called  by the  commission  were targeted at all locations  where Rivers  State  APC  claimed  the governorship  election  did not  hold.

At the  resumed  sitting  of the  Justice  Suleiman Ambrosa-led tribunal sitting in Abuja, INEC noted that  on the  strength  of  her witnesses  and relevant  documents  tendered  it has  proved that the election was held  peacefully and in line  with  the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.

Ruling  on  the  INEC  application  for  the closure  of their defence,  Justice Suleiman Ambrosa,  Chairman  of  the  Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal,  adjourned  sitting  to Wednesday. The Tribunal  chairman  announced  that  Rivers  State  Governor,  Nyesom Ezenwo Wike will open his defense  on Wednesday.


Addressing  journalists  after closing  INEC’S  defence,  Counsel  to  INEC,  Onyechi Ikpeazu  ( SAN ), explained  that  the  number  of  witnesses  called by  the  commission  were  in line with  the  allegations  made by the Rivers  State  APC  Governorship Candidate,  Mr  Dakuku  Peterside  and  the  areas were he called witnesses.

He said : “We are satisfied  that the 16 witnesses  who conducted  the  Rivers State Governorship Election  in communities  where the petitioner  had alleged  violence  are enough  to  prove that the  election  held successfully,  contrary  to  their  allegations.

“Witnesses  are not called for the fun of it, but for the specific  purpose  of  proving  our case.”

The  INEC  counsel  added that aside INEC  other respondents, Governor  Wike  and the PDP  have their own witnesses  to  call.

The 16 witnesses  called  by  INEC  spread across  10 Local  Government  Areas in  the  three Senatorial  districts  of  Rivers  State.

All the witnesses maintained  that the governorship  election  was peaceful,  credible,  free  and  fair.  They berated a few soldiers and mobile policemen and security agents invited by the petitioner as witnesses  for lying  when they did not  participate  in  the  election.

The  INEC witnesses  comprised LGA  Electoral  Officers  and  Presiding Officers.

Hearing  resumes tomorrow  at the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.