1st July, 2011
Dr. Abiye Sekibo,the ACN Governorship candidate in Rivers State has filed a motion withdrawing his petition at Elections Tibunal sitting in Port Harcourt.
At the tribunal presided over by Justice Aminu A Wambi,Golden Tamuno,the counsel to Dr Sekibo said that he was directed by his clients to withdraw the petition against the election of Chibuike Amaechi as Governor of Rivers State for alleged frustrations in making a headway in the case.
Golden Tamuno didnot disclose where the frustrations was coming from.It would be recalled, however, that AC N the had issued a press statement alleging that there has been intense pressure on the party to drop the case against Amaechi.
In the Press statement, endorsed by Jerry Needam,the Publicity Secretary of the Party in the state,had vowed that the party would pursue the case to its logical conclusion despite the pressures.
The party claimed that it had refused to yeild to pressure because it had sufficient evidence to substantiate its claim that PDP rigged Governor Amaechi back to power and was sure the election would be nullified.
PMNews gathered that since the reconciliation between Amaechi and Dr Peter Odili,his mentor and former Governor of the state,there have been pressure on Sekibo and Celestin Omehia of All People Grand Alliance,APGA,to withdraw their cases against Governor Amaechi at the Tribunal.
However,petitions on the National Assembly and other subsequent elections by AC N are still pending at the tribunal.
Meanwhile, AC N has attributed the deteriorating traffic congestion in Port Harcourt metropolis as one of its frustrations in pursuing its petitions at various tribunals.
According the party,the deteriorating traffic congestion took its toll on the case instituted by the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, against the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, which came up on Friday, July 1, 2011, at High court 16. C. N. Eke, counsel for the claimants, ACN, could not make it to the court as he was held up in the traffic jam for hours.
The case which was scheduled to commence by 12 noon, was stood down for an hour as the counsel for the defendants, RSIEC, E. N. Ebete, informed the court that Barr. Eke had called and informed him that he was held up in the traffic. At about 13.02 hrs, the presiding judge, Justice Aprioka, called up the case and subsequently adjourned it to Thursday, July 7, 2011.
Commenting on the almost daily chaotic traffic situation in the city, the Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Jerry Needam, said drastic action should be taken by the state government to check the menace, as it affects the economic and social life of the residents of Port Harcourt.
He stated that the prevailing situation of frustration experienced by the citizens, occasioned by lack of basic amenities that should be made available by the government, has been further compounded by the sickening daily occurrence of traffic jams.
The ACN spokesman urged the state government to wake up to its responsibilities by putting the link roads and streets in good condition to provide alternative routes for commuters. He also urged members of the party to remain calm.
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt