Peterside Qualified To Contest Rivers State Governorship Election, Says Tribunal

SAN FRANCISCO, July 29, (THEWILL) – The Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja on Wednesday struck out a motion filed by State Governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Nyesom Wike, challenging Dr. Dakuku Peterside's eligibility to contest the 2015 governorship election in Rivers.

The tribunal Chairman, Justice Muazu Pindiga ruled that Peterside met the 21 days notice for the All Progressive Congress (APC) to notify INEC of its candidate 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.

Ukala told the tribunal that the convention/primary elections held on Dec. 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.