Tribunal: Peterside floors Wike Again

Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State has again floored Governor Ezebuwon Nyesom Wike. The Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal Holden in Abuja on Monday assumed jurisdiction in the matter brought before it by Peterside challenging the declaration of Wike winner of the April 11 election. Wike had challenged the Tribunal’s jurisdiction, questioning its sitting in Abuja. However, in a ruling on Monday, the Tribunal ruled it had the jurisdiction to sit in Anuja and entertain the hearing.

Peterside, who spoke to The Neighbourhood in an exclusive chat soon after the ruling, expressed satisfaction with the ruling.

“I now expect accelerated hearing of the substantive matter on its merit so the world will know if there were elections in Rivers Stare or not”.

Peterside reiterated his earlier position that the governorship election of April 11 in Rivers State fail far short of election standards.

The APC governorship candidate continued, “Nobody should benefit from visiting violence on the people and violating electoral laws.

“Impunity must stop so our society will be one of equal opportunity for all".

The Tribunal will on Wednesday deliver ruling on the matter of Peterside’s eligibility. Wike is challenging the fitness of the APC candidate for the poll. Expecting to reap from a recent questionable ruling by a National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal Holden in Abuja which ruled that APC failed to serve the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, tthe statutory 21 days notice, Wike as at last hearing, told the Tribunal Peterside should not have been a candidate in the first instance since according to him, APC failed to fulfil the period of notice. However, Peterside through his lead counsel, Akin Olunjimi, urged the Tribunal to dismiss the application, saying APC satisfied every condition for Peterside’s candidacy.