Appeal Court affirms sack of 16 Rivers PDP lawmakers

Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

Sixteen members of the Rivers House of Assembly out of 32 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have so far lost their appeal against the nullification of their elections at the Election Petition Tribunal.

The Court of Appeal in its latest judgment said the election that brought the affected lawmakers to power did not substantially comply with the Electoral law, and therefore the petitions of Hope Barango-Tariah of APC and others were upheld.

In Asari Toru constituency 1 – Hope Barango-Tariah of APC won against Granville Wellington of PDP.

Similarly, in Asari Toru Constituency 2, Emeni George (PDP) lost to Godstime Ben-Horsefall of APC.
The PDP lawmaker representing Ahoada-East 2 lost his appeal to the challenger, Ibiso Nwuche of APC, and in Akuku-Toru Constituency 1, Jack Major of PDP lost his appeal to challenger Ineye Jack of APC.

Ikuinyi O. Igbani, the immediate past Speaker of the House who represents Andoni Constituency lost his appeal against the challenge of Romnsan Dressman of APC.

The representative of Degema Constituency, Farah Dagogo, lost his appeal against the challenger Eldred Braide of APC.

Hon. Golden Ben Chioma of APC triumphed over Tonye U. Ejiogu of PDP representing Etche Constituency 2.

Other PDP lawmakers who lost include Oguguo Anslem representing Ikwerre. He lost his appeal against Azubuike Wanjoku of APC; Dinebari Loolo of Khana Constituency 2 had the earlier nullification of his mandate upheld by the Court of Appeal, thus affirming the deposition of Friday Nkee of APC.

Martin Amaehule of PDP representing Obio/Akpor Constituency 1 lost his attempt retain his mandate as contested by Collins Ordu of APC.

Same goes for Michael O. Chinda of PDP representing Obio/Akpor Constituency 2 as challenged by Belief Wali of APC.

Evans Bipi, an aide to Mrs Patience Jonathan, the Wife former President Goodluck Jonathan, representing Ogu/Bolo Constituency lost his appeal to Williams I. S. Enos of APC

In Omuma Constituency, Leo Anyanwu of APC still won as the earlier nullification of the mandate of Kelechi G. Nwogu of PDP was upheld at the Court of Appeal.
For the Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Constituency, Gift Wokocha of APC still triumphed over Christian Ahiankwo of PDP.

The same goes for Ngbar Amulele of PDP who still lost to Matthew Dike of APC. In Port Harcourt Constituency 2, Irene Inimgba for APC succeeded in her quest to nullify the mandate of Ihunwo Nyeche of PDP.

More cases are yet to be decided at the Court of Appeal.