Rivers: ADP witnesses fumble as Idoma-born SAN, Obla, others stood for PDP’s Gov. Wike (Photos)

The collation agents of the Action Democratic Party ( ADP) have told the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal that they did not receive reports from their polling agents that indicated that the 2019 Governorship Election was marred by illegal thumb printing and ballot materials snatching.

The Defeated Rivers State Action Democratic Party, (ADP) Governorship Candidate, Mr Victor Fingesi filed a petition at the Tribunal, challenging the victory of Governor Wike.

Speaking at the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal under cross examination by lawyers of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike,Chief Godwin Obla (SAN), Chief Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) , Okey Wali (SAN) and the PDP, the Collation agents stated there is nowhere in their witness statements on oath where they indicated that they received reports that the election was marred by violence and illegal thumb printing.

ADP Ward Collation Agent for Ward 6 in Okrika Local Government Area, Valentine Tammy noted that no polling Agent of his political party, from the 10 polling units where they had agents sent any report of ballot box snatching or massive illegal thumb printing to him.

He said that as Collation Agent, he arrived polling unit by 8am and left by 10am on March 9, 2019. The petitioner witness said that he did not proceed to Collation Centre of the ward where Collation took place.

Asked if he reported any case of election violence and ballot box snatching to the police or the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC).

Further cross examination by counsel for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Dr Garba Tetengi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, revealed that the witness (Valentine) who claimed to be the ADP collation agent in Okrika Ward 6, was not on the list of INEC for party agents for the area.

Dr Tetengi told the panel presided over by Justice J. A Orjiakor that the name of the ADP agent as listed by INEC and sent to all the participated parties was one Felix Emmanuel.

On whether he knew the said Emmanuel, the witness (Valentine) admitted knowing him but insisted that his party sent him with an appointment letter to monitor the collation of the votes in Okrika ward 6, noting that the collation centre was at Ogbogbo community.

Valentine who identified himself as a teacher working with a private school in the state, told the court that his party has only 10 agents in the 27 polling units of Okrika ward 6, adding that he never visited any of the units .

Also speaking, Clopas Ebirie, ADP Ward Collation Agent for Ward 7, Andoni Local Government Area, said based on his statement on oath, he made no report to INEC or Police on any alleged irregularities during the elections that led to the re-election of Governor Wike.

He admitted that he did not personally witness any form of electoral malpractice, illegal thumb printing or ballot box snatching.

Cleopas Ebirie, who claimed to be ADP agent at Andoni ward 7, could not also give reason why his name was not in the INEC list for party agents in the area.

When the PDP asked that he tender his signature as evidence for his statement , the ADP lawyer, Dolapo Tella-Attoni objected but the court upheld the PDP counsel’s position that the witness should tender his signature to the court.

The ADP Oyigbo Local Government Area Collation Agent, Christian Onoh admitted that his name is not on the official accredited list of Oyigbo Local Government party agents.

Counsel to Governor Wike, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) informed the witness that from the accredited INEC list of party agents, his name was conscious absent. He said that the accredited ADP Oyigbo Local Government Area agent was Christian Eloka, stating that the witness was an imposter.

Recall that Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of the PDP polled 886, 264 votes to defeated his closest challenger, Biokpomabo Awara of AAC, who scored 173,859.