The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) in Rivers State on Thursday tendered
strategic polling units results from different Local Government Areas to
the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal to justify the
re-election of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
The Polling Units Results were tendered in respect of the petition
filed against the election of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike by the
defeated Rivers State Governorship Candidate of the Action Democratic
Party (ADP), Mr Victor Fingesi.
Tendering the Polling Units Results from the bar, counsel to the PDP,
Chief Godwin Obla (SAN) said the polling units results were from 356
Polling Units.
Obla told the Tribunal that the result sheets were from some of the
polling units in Obio/Akpor, Khana, Ogu/Bolo, Bonny, Akuku-Toru, Ahoada
East, Opobo/Nkoro and others.
He informed the Tribunal that the PDP resolved to tender results to
prove that elections held across the state at the polling units and
declarations made under very peaceful atmosphere.
He added that since INEC and Governor Wike have called witnesses to
prove that the Governorship Election was conducted in line with the
Electoral Act, the PDP chose to prove the conduct of the elections
through documentary evidence.
Addressing journalists after closing the PDP Defence, Godwin Obla said
that from documentary evidence and oral testimonies of witnesses, the
2019 Governorship Election in Rivers State was held in substantial
compliance with the Electoral Act and Governor Wike emerged victorious.
He said: “This morning on behalf of the 3rd respondent , the Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP, we tendered a total of 356 exhibits in support of
our case. We feel satisfied that the requirements of the law required of
us, has been fully met and that is why we decided to close our case
today.
“Don’t forget that the 1st respondent, INEC, called witnesses, the 2nd
respondent, Governor Nyesom Wike, who is the candidate of the 3rd
respondent, PDP, called witnesses and tendered alot of documents those
relates to this same subject matter. The interest of the 1st, 2nd and
3rd respondents are actually the same”.
Also speaking, Mr Dolapo-Telle Attoni, ADP counsel, “The PDP presented
from the Bar a bundle of electoral documents they claimed INEC used in
conducting the governorship election. They tendered about 356 alleged
polling units results. We had asked for few minutes to study these same
documents and also obtain Certified True Copy of the said documents
which not comply by INEC”.
Following the PDP closing its case, the Rivers State Governorship
Election Petition Tribunal has adjourned till September 16 2019 for the
adoption of addresses by parties in the petition filed by Action
Democratic Party and its Governorship candidate, Mr Victor Fingesi.