Rivers: Tribunal Upholds Senator Nwogo's Victory

Senator Magnus Abe

 Sen. Abe to appeal ruling

Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

The Rivers state National Assembly ‎Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja has upheld the election of Senator Olaka Johnson Nwogo representing Rivers south east senatorial district in the senate.

At the resumed hearing Tuesday, the tribunal dismissed the petition brought by Senator Magnus Abe and his party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) to challenge the validity of the declaration of Nwogo as winner.

Justice Mohammed Sifawa who delivered judgment in the petition held that Magnus Abe and APC failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt their allegation that there was no election at the senatorial district in the March 28 nation Assembly election.

Justice Sifawa also held that rather than proving the allegation, the petitioner went out of his way by blowing hot and cold at the same time on the election issue.

According to the tribunal chairman, in one breath, the petitioner claimed that there was no election in the senatorial district and in another breath, the same petitioner tendered documents from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on how election materials were shared on the election day.