Rivers: Supreme Court Explains Why Wike Was Declared Winner

Wike was denied fair hearing - Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has explained why it declared Nysome Wike as the duly elected governor of  Rivers state

The court said Wike did not get fair hearing as the facts he presented were not considered by the tribunal

It held that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate was unable to prove that elctions did not take place in Rivers state on April 11
It said the tribunal was improperly constituted, explaining that the chairman of the tribunal, Suleiman Ambursa, had passed the judgment in error because he did not sit over the initial hearing of the case.

Ambursa replaced Mu’azu Pindiga, who was removed in the middle of the hearing of the Rivers governorship election petitions.

It held that the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dakuku Peterside, was unable to prove that an election did not take place in Rivers state on April 11.

The supreme court explained that the burden of proof was on Peterside to prove that the election was marred by wanton violence, and that it did not take place.

The court had upturned the judgment of both the election petitions tribunal and the appeal court nullifying his victory at the April 11, 2015 poll.