ABUJA, Federal Republic of Nigeria. Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike, on Monday, continued to defend his election before the Rivers state Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Abuja as he called a former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Commissioner, Dr Christopher Iyimoga.
The retired INEC Commissioner also corroborated testimonies by other defence witnesses that the election was free and fair. Iyimoga who said he monitored the election in six local government areas in the state said that three INEC National Commissioners who monitored the election in the state did not receive any report of ballot box snatching, hijacking of electoral materials or any form of violence.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Dr Dakuku Peterside are challenging the election. They contended that there was no election in the state on April 11, 2015. They had also called witnesses who supported their position.
However, since he opened his defence, the governor had also called many witnesses to debunk the APC calms. The governor’s witnesses testified to the effect that not only did election take place but under a peaceful atmosphere. Their testimonies ran counter to that of the petitioners’.
Also on Monday, a traditional ruler in Orogbum in Port Harcourt Local Government Area, Chief Dr Sunny Chinda declared the election peaceful and credible, saying that he voted at Unit 19 Ward 2 of the council. Other voters also testified that the election was peaceful, credible, free and fair.
Iyimoga served as a member of the INEC headquarters three -member team that supervised the Rivers state Governorship Election.
The two other National Commissioners of INEC in that team were Mrs Thelma Erimere and Professor Nurudeen.
Credit: ThisDay (Nigeria)
