The Rivers State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal has dismissed the petition filed by the Labour Party and its chairmanship candidate, Chioma Chinwo, challenging the outcome of the Port Harcourt City Local Government Council election.
The three-man panel, led by Chief Magistrate Menenen Poromon, unanimously ruled that the petitioners failed to prove their case, particularly regarding the alleged allotment of votes to the winner of the election as declared by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
The tribunal also held that the petitioners failed to provide evidence of widespread irregularities during the election, as they were unable to present witnesses to support their claims.
Instead, the panel found that the election was conducted in accordance with electoral law.
Furthermore, the tribunal agreed with the respondents that the Port Harcourt City Local Government Council Chairman, Ezebunwo Ichemat, was qualified to contest the election, contrary to the petitioners’ claim that he had not resigned as a civil servant before contesting.
Counsel to the Mayor of Port Harcourt, Chucks Ogworu, explained that the tribunal dismissed the petition due to its lack of merit, adding that the victory of Ezebunwo Ichemat has been given legal backing.
Similarly, counsel to the Action People’s Party (APP), Chimenem Jerome, emphasised that the tribunal agreed with the APP and dismissed the petition due to the petitioner’s failure to provide sufficient evidence.
A stakeholder in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Ikechi Chinda, who served as a collation agent for the APP in the last LGA election, welcomed the judgment, stating that the mayor can now focus on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.
Notably, counsel to the claimants was absent in court and did not represent their clients during the judgment.
