ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has nullified the election of Senator George Sekibo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the winner of the March 28, 2015, Rivers East Senatorial election.
The appelate court in its ruling on Thursday held that the testimonies of the subpoenaed witnesses brought by the All Progressive Candidate (APC), Andrew Uchendu, must be looked into.
Based on that ground, the Justice Ali Gumel-led panel ordered INEC to conduct election in the senatorial district within 90 days
Justice Gumel ruled on the appeal brought by Uchendu against the earlier judgement of the Rivers National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal which upheld the election Sekibo.
The appellate court also set aside the election of two other members of the PDP representing Rivers State in the House of Representatives.
The sacked duo were Hon. Kingsley Chindah, representing Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, and Hon. Blessing Nsiegbe, representing Port Harcourt 2 Federal Constituency.
While Uchendu challenged Sekibo’s election, Chindah’s was challenged at the tribunal by the APC candidate, Anthony Okocha, and that of Nsugbe was challenged by Collins Owhondah.
But the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Apo had on October upheld the election of the PDP candidates.
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Justice Muazu Pindiga who presided over the panel that gave the judgement stated that the petitioner (Uchendu and APC) failed to convince the Tribunal that the National Assembly Election was fraudulent nor marred by violence.
