The Rivers State Election Petitions Tribunal in Abuja on Monday nullified the victory of 21 of the 32 members of the state House of Assembly.
The tribunal ordered fresh elections to be conducted in the 21 constituencies.
Top on the list of the sacked legislators is the Speaker of the State House of Assembly Owaji Ibani from Andoni constituency.
The nullification of the Rivers lawmakers’ election came barely two days after another tribunal nullified the election that brought Governor Nyesom Wike into power as the state governor.
The tribunal cited cases of irregularities and violence, among other electoral malpractices, which warranted the nullification of the lawmakers’ election.
Other constituencies where PDP candidates’ elections were nullified are Gokana, Eleme, Obio/Akpor I and II, Eleme, Etche II, Opobo/Nkoro, Akukutoru I and II, Asari Toru – and II, Bonny, Tai, Onelga I, Degema, Khana Iand II, Port Harcourt II and Ikwerre.
The tribunal further directed that fresh elections should be conducted to fill the vacant seats.
But the election of the PDP candidates were upheld by the tribunal in 11 constituencies which are Oyigbo, Etche I, Omuma, Ogu-Bolo, Port Harcourt I and III, ONELGa II, Abua/Odua, Ahoada West, Ahoada East II and Emuoha.
Earlier at the preliminary stage, the tribunal had upheld the election of the PDP candidate in Okrika constituency.
It is yet uncertain what will happen next since the remaining 11 legislators would not be able to form a quorum for the state’s legislative businesses.
But indications have emerged that the affected legislators will appeal the judgement.
-Leadership
