Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate in the last election, Dr Dakuku Peterside, have begun moves to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to produce the materials used in the election to Abuja for inspection.
The party and its candidate have filed a motion to that effect before the State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja.
They said their decision was informed by INEC’s continued refusal to obey the order for inspection made by the tribunal on June 11.
APC and Peterside are challenging the outcome of the election, in which INEC declared Nyesome Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the winner.
They said the election did not comply with the Electoral Act (EA), INEC’s Electoral Guideline and manual made pursuant to the EA.
The petitioners had complained to the tribunal that INEC was working with the PDP and Wike to frustrate the inspection of the election materials.
Following the complaint, the tribunal, in a ruling on July 9, restated its order, which it said was directed at INEC.
The petitioners’ lawyer, Akin Olujinmi (SAN), informed the court yesterday that INEC refused to allow the inspection of the materials it used for the election.
“Your lordship made an order on June 11 for the inspection of election materials. The order was restated on July 9. That order has not been obeyed by INEC,” Olujinmi said.
After the tribunal’s proceedings, the eminent lawyer addressed reporters.
He said: “We have now applied that INEC be compelled to bring the election materials to Abuja for inspection since they have made inspection impossible in Rivers State.