PDP RAISES ISSUES OF INTERFERENCE IN RIVERS GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION JUDGMENT

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised the recent Tribunal judgment on Rivers State governorship election, accusing the Department for State Services of interference.

Shortly after the PDP national caucus’ meeting, which ended close to midnight on Thursday, the party’s spokesman, Mr Olisa Metuh, told reporters that there was serious cause for concern in the nation’s political environment, especially as it concerns the survival of the nation’s democracy.

He said that the National caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party carefully reviewed the political development in the nation’s polity before it came out with the resolution.

“For emphasis, the PDP and Nigerians wonder why it was necessary to interfere with the composition of the
 Rivers State Governorship Tribunal and to harass resident electoral commissioner severally to the extent that the Tribunal itself was able to deliver a judgement within 24 hours in a case that had nearly 100 witnesses, 1,000 pieces of documentary evidences and nine written addresses, each not less than 40 pages,” he said, raising concerns about the judgement of the Election Petition Tribunal.
“Pretentious War”

The spokesman for the PDP said that the outcome of the decision, “in view of a rather interesting history of the case”, indicated that the Nigerian people and the PDP were victims of the APC-led government.

Making comments about the walk out staged by the Senators of the PDP during the confirmation of the former Governor of Rivers State, Mr Chibuike Amaechi, on Thursay, Mr Metuh said it was a decision that showed the party’s stand against corruption.

“We salute the courage and unity of purpose of our Senators, especially as demonstrated in the Senate chambers today in their collective stand against impunity and corruption in line with the wishes and aspirations of Nigerians.”

He said that the action of the APC Senators during the confirmation plenary at the Senate had put a dent on the ruling party’s “pretentious war against corruption”.