The Rivers State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has nullified the election of Governor Nyesom Wike and ordered that a fresh governorship election be conducted in the state within 90 days.
The tribunal, which was presided over by Justice Ambusa, ruled that the governorship election held on April 11, 2015, which brought Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to power, was substantially flawed.
According to the tribunal, the election was marred by irregularities and violence serious enough to affect the credibility of the exercise.
The ruling has consequently created a fresh political development in Rivers State, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) expected to conduct another governorship election in line with the tribunal’s order, subject to any appeal.
Recall that former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, had raised concerns about the conduct of the election on the day it was held.
Speaking on election day, Amaechi was quoted as saying: “What took place here cannot be called an election.”
The tribunal’s decision is expected to generate further reactions from political parties and stakeholders in the state as the legal battle over the 2015 Rivers governorship election continues.
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