Tina Amanda
National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal have declared Wellington Tekenari Grandville the People’s Democratic Party PDP candidate for State House Assembly Constituency 1 Asari-Toru, winner for pulling lawful majority votes in the March 9th House of Assembly Election in Rivers State.
Wellington Tekenari Grandville had in his petition against the Social Democratic Party, SDP, and its candidate, Ipalibo George, challenged the election of Gorge as the member representing Asari-Toru Constituency 1.
The judgement which was delivered by Justice Joseph Bamgbose ordered INEC to issue a certificate of return to Wellington Tekenari, and also ruled that the sum of five hundred thousand (500,000) naira should be given to him by the 2nd Respondent Ipalibo George.
The ruling stated that pieces of evidence the 2nd Respondent, Ipalibo George, relied on upon and presented before the tribunal such as result sheets were not authentic, adding that evidence presented by the police as certified copies from the Collation was different from 2nd Respondent copies
Counsel to the petitioners’ DIKE UDENNA, told our reporter Tina Amanda, that they are happy with the judgement as the rightful candidate who won the election has been giving his mandate.
“The tribunal has agreed that it was actually the petitioner who pulled the majority lawful votes, based on the duplicate copies presented by the petitioner and the evidence of INEC Electoral Officer who tendered a report where he confessed that he was denied access in to the Collation venue and that the Collation venue was invaded by people who wore military uniform and F-SARs. We are indeed happy that Justice has been served.”
Also, Ininasiya Clinton-West, Counsel to the 2nd Respondent Ipalibo George, said they would appeal the judgement.
“The tribunal, in its wisdom, upheld that the petitioners have proved their case, I will liaise with my client, we will go to appeal. Until the period within which he is going to appeal elapses, he remains a member of the State House Assembly, and if he does not appeal within the period, automatically he will vacate the seat.”
