Tina Amanda
The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Port Harcourt has reserved ruling on legal representation, over the petition filed by the Social Democratic party, SDP, and its Senatorial candidate, Chief Dighobo Obaghama, against Honourable Betty Apiafi, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and INEC, which is challenging the election of Senator Betty Apiafi as Senator representing Rivers West Senatorial District.
The matter which was earlier slated for ruling by the former panel was stalled due to a swap of the panel.
Arguing before the newly constituted panel led by Justice G.K KAIGAMA, counsel to Chief DIGHOBO OBAGHAMA the 1st petitioner, COLLINS DIKE, told the court that he has gotten brief from the National Executive Women leader to represent SDP in the matter based on the application they filed for a change of Counsel.
SOMINA ELEKIMA, Counsel to SDP the 2nd petitioner argued that counsel to the 1st petitioner has no evidence to prove his alleged endorsement from the National Executive committee, adding that DIKE is not the authentic legal officer to represent the party in the matter.
He stressed further that he is the authorised legal officer as he was duly elected by the Party’s State Chairman Joshua Worlu.
Speaking to our reporter Tina Amanda, Counsel to the 1st petitioner COLLINS DIKE, said the brief he got from the National Executive committee should supersede the circumstance.
Also speaking, Counsel to the 2nd petitioner, SOMINA ELEKIMA, said he is waiting for the court to take a decision on the issue of legal representation in the matter
