—As Tribunal Moves Harder On Rivers PDP—
The Independent National Electoral Commision(INEC) Rivers State is getting prepared for a rerun election in Ahoada East Constituency one,following the stiff decision of the State House Of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja against the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).
PUO REPORTS Exclusively gathered from the Friday 21 August rulling of the Justice Gideon Kuraja Led Tribunal Panel which angrily stuck out the frivolous preliminary objections by Counsel to the Member Representing Ahoada East Constituency 1 in the Rivers State House of Assembly Hon. Martymms Manna
It was learnt that Martymms Manna had filled pre-liminary Objections ranging from non-payment of Pre-trial notice fee of 100 naira,Locus Standi;Right to Be Presented For an election,Jurisdiction of the Tribunal among numerous others,in a bid to ensure the Petition brought to the Election Petition Tribunal by the Candidate of the APC for Ahoada East Constituency 1 Barr.Eric Apia was struck out
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Justice Gideon Kuraja while given rullings on the frivolous pre-limiary objections accused the PDP Candidate of filling notorious objections against the APC candidate even when it was clear that the Petitioner had not breached any law on its activities so far.
The Tribunal was specific on the issue of failure to pay 100 filling fee by the counsel to Eric Apia,the Tribunal held that there is no provision in the Electoral Act for petitioners to pay a filling fee before its Petition’s Pretrial could commence.The Tribunal also held that provided the Secretary to the Tribunal did not ask the Petitioners for a filling fee,the mistake cannot be pushed to the Petitioner,therefore the Petitioner cannot suffer for the mistake of the Secretary to the Tribunal.
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The Tribunal fixed September 3rd for Full Trial of the Petition brought by Barr.Eric Apia of the APC
Recall that INEC Had declared Martymms Manna of the PDP winner of the April 11th State Assembly Election for Ahoada East Constituency 1 with over 4000 Votes against Eric Apia of the APC who was allocated merely 1700 Votes
