The tussle for the governorship of Rivers State has not ceased from being dramatic and eventful. On Wednesday, leaders of the All Progressives Congress including the governorship candidate of the party, Dr. Dakuku Peterside were tear-gassed at the National Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja.
The APC had gone to protest alleged refusal of INEC in Rivers state to allow the physical inspection of the materials used during the April 11 governorship election in the state.
The election petition tribunal had on July 10, granted the request of the APC to inspect the materials but INEC had refused to permit the inspection on the grounds that the PDP and its candidate, Governor Nyesom Wike had appealed for a stay of execution of the order.
It is reported that the protesters arrived the Headquarters of INEC around 8.30am but was denied entry into the premises. Their resistance and pressure to enter into the offices attracted the response of the Police stationed at the premises.
It has been an ongoing argument whether an electoral tribunal ruling within the hearing of a petition, should be subject to appeal in a regular court realizing that the tribunal has a limited time within which to conclude the process. With this, the debate will be revived again.
