Sack of speaker, 20 others marks Wike’s end – Rivers APC

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday described the sacking of 21 lawmakers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including the Speaker, Rt. Hon. IKunyi Ibani, by the Rivers State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja, as the end of the road for Governor Nyesom Wike.

The state Chairman of the APC, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, who made the declaration in a statement following the sacking of the PDP lawmakers, said the tribunal upheld the victory of the PDP lawmakers in 12 constituencies and annulled the victory of 20 others, paving way for a re-run on a yet to be determined date.

The only seat occupied by APC lawmaker, Hon. John Olu, representing Eleme Constituency, was upheld by the tribunal.

Meanwhile, the state House of Assembly speaker yesterday dismissed reports that the tribunal sacked him and 20 others, saying the tribunal only ordered a re-run within 90 days.

Ibani, who addressed reporters yesterday, said he remains speaker and that the world knows that elections took place in Rivers, noting that they (lawmakers) had directed their counsel to appeal the matter.

He said they believed in the credibility of the judiciary to deliver unbiased verdicts, but pointed out that different principles on a similar circumstance characterised the tribunals’ judgements.

He said: “I heard over the news that the speaker and 20 others have been sacked by the election tribunal. No member, not even the speaker has been sacked. The lower tribunal gave judgement in their opinion. In their judgement, they argued that there should be a rerun within 90days.

“The Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi- Owaji Ibani was not sacked by any election petition tribunal, and none of the members was sacked by the tribunal. I am still the Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly and the members still remain members of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” he said.

He continued: “The whole world knows that election was conducted in the state on April 11. The whole world knows as well that INEC prepared for such election for a long period. Because we have faith in the judiciary system, we have faith in the judges and justices we have in Nigeria, we believe that our case will not be different.

“We have strong faith in the Nigerian state and its judicial system. We believe, as legislators, that conscience not placed on the canvass of justice is unconscionable. We believe that same principles in law should apply in all circumstances.”