Wike finally appeals against tribunal’s verdict

Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state, has asked the court of appeal to set aside the judgment of  the  state election tribunal, which nullified  his election.

Citing gross irregularities, the tribunal which gave its verdict on October 24, ordered a fresh election to be conducted within 90 days.

But in a notice of appeal dated November 3, Wike through Emmanuel Ukala, his counsel, faulted the judgment on 26 grounds.

According to a statement issued by Simeon Nwakaudu, the governor’s media aide, Dakuku Peterside, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were joined as respondents.

“Take notice  that the appellant  being dissatisfied with  the  decision of the  governorship election tribunal for Rivers state, sitting in Abuja,  contained in the  judgment of the  tribunal coram Hon. Justice Suleiman Ambursa  (chairman), Hon. Justice  Wesley Ibrahim Leha  (member ) and Hon. Justice Bayo Taiwo (member )(sitting in court no. 23 of the FCT  high court dated the 24th of October  2015, doth hereby  appeal  to  the  court of appeal upon  the  grounds set out in paragraph  3 and will at the  hearing seek the reliefs set out in paragraph  4,” the statement read.

“Governor Wike sought an order of the court of appeal allowing his appeal and an order of the court setting aside the judgment/decision of the Rivers state governorship election tribunal.

“He further urged the court of appeal to make an ‘order striking out or dismissing the election petition filed on 3rd May 2015 by Mr Dakuku  Peterside Peterside and the  APC as petitioners at the tribunal.

“Governor Wike among other grounds noted that the tribunal erred in law when it relied on hearsay and inadmissible evidence to nullify his election. He added that the finding and conclusion of the tribunal was not supported by evidence before the court.

“The tribunal wrongly  neglected,  failed  and refused to  abide by and follow  the binding decision of the  court of appeal in APC vs Olujimi Agbaje : appeal no: CA/L/EP/GOV./751A/2015 (unreported ) delivered on 26th August,  which was duly cited to it and thereby came to  a wrong conclusion.”