Following yesterday's judgment of the Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal which nullified the election of Wyesom Wike and ordered a fresh election in the State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accused the justices who delivered judgment in the Akwa-Ibom and Rivers petitions of acting the script of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In the petition brought by APC governorship candidate, Dr Dakuku Peterside, the tribunal presided over by Justice Suleiman Ambursa declared that the election was conducted with total disregard to the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Describing the pronouncements of the tribunals as “ spurious judgments”, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh in a statement stated the positions taken by the justices in the two cases were “ a culmination of the heinous plot by the APC government, to use the judiciary and various security agencies to reverse the victory of the PDP in Rivers, Delta, Akwa-Ibom, Taraba and Abia states.”
“We invite Nigerians and the international community to recall various reprehensible steps taken by the APC government that culminated in this ruling as well as the ridiculous Wednesday’s verdict of the Akwa-Ibom state governorship election tribunal, also sitting in Abuja. “The curious and controversial relocation of the elections tribunals from their states to Abuja without any justification.
The constant juggling of judicial officers and members of governorship elections tribunal in PDP states, especially, Rivers and Akwa-Ibom states. Constant harassment of judicial and electoral officers involved in the governorship election cases in these states, using agencies of government, particularly, the Directorate of State Services (DSS) under the direct command of a known APC member, Alhaji Lawal Daura.
Constant threats, intimidation and coercing of witnesses against the PDP in the tribunals. The recent mass transfer of security operatives, especially the DSS and police personnel that actually participated in the conduct of the elections in Rivers and Akwa-Ibom, ostensibly to frustrate the course of genuine evidences in the process.”
Stretching further his argument of a compromised judiciary, Metuh claimed that the Rivers Tribunal was in a hurry to deliver its judgment in order to rubbish the pending judgment of the Supreme Court on the issue of jurisdiction regarding the relocation of the tribunal outside River State.
“Further proof of bias by the Rivers tribunal is the fact that less than 24 hours after various counsels submitted nine written addresses and documents, the tribunal rushed its notice of judgment, an action ostensibly aimed at ambushing the pending Supreme Court action on the issue of jurisdiction regarding the relocation of the tribunal outside River state, which was due to be delivered on Tuesday.
“This is not withstanding the fact that the tribunal has up to seven days after of receipt of addresses, to deliver its judgment, but chose instead, to rush to deliver this spurious verdict even on a Saturday, a development eliciting suspicion that the judgment may have since been predetermined and written even before the commencement of the case.
“The PDP calls on all Nigerians and the international community to note this growing manipulation of the judiciary by the APC government, a factor which portends great danger to our democracy and the stability of our country.”
However, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the same election, Tonye Princewill saluted the courage of the judiciary. Princewill in the statement he personally signed, declared that the judgment delivered by Justice Ambursa did not come as a surprise to the average electorate in Rivers State.
Princewill said: ”I have just received the news of the cancellation of the Rivers State Governorship election. Even as it may have come as a surprise to many neutral observers, it was no surprise to me, my supporters and many Rivers people who came out on that fateful day to try and cast their vote.
“Even PDP supporters, I’m sure in their heart of hearts, knew that this day would come. Like I stated to my supporters on that election day, justice will prevail and the truth of this day will come out.
"If the APC legal team could not prove that there was no election in Rivers State, nobody could. It was that obvious.
“I’d like to thank all the judges for upholding the law, the parties for conducting their briefs with civility and the people of Rivers State for surviving this period. If I was the PDP, I would not even bother to appeal this judgment. I’d rather head back to the court of public opinion. Ultimately that is where this matter will end. Why delay?
“To my numerous supporters and well wishers; in the days ahead, I will tell you the role we will play going forward. I told you from day one, not to worry. Your votes will count. I meant it.
“Let me use this opportunity to tell all Rivers people to stay law abiding and peaceful. This is not the time for celebration or mourning. It is the time for sober reflection. Perhaps this experience has allowed us all, including analog politicians, reflect on the need to let people vote.
“Do unto others as you wish they do unto you. What goes around does come around. This law has been around before us and will remain with us long after we have gone.”