Wike's Annulment: Don’t Bother To Appeal Tribunal - LP

Tonye Princewill, a candidate of the Labour Party in the April 11 governorship election, has advised Nyesom Wike who was sacked on Saturday not to appeal the judgment of the governorship tribunal. The three-man governorship election tribunal, which sat in Abuja for security reasons, cancelled the election of Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after various witnesses testified that elections haven’t been held in most parts of Rivers state on April 11. The LP candidate, in a reaction via a press release by his spokesperson on Saturday, said the verdict of the tribunal was expected. In the statement entitled, “Rivers Election Petition – No need to appeal”, Princewill said: “Even PDP supporters I am sure in their heart of hearts, knew that this day would come. If I was the PDP, I would not even bother to appeal this judgment. I would rather head back to the court of public opinion. Ultimately that is where this matter will end. Why delay? “Even as it may have come as a surprise to many neutral observers, it was no surprise to me, my supporters and many Rivers people who came out on that fateful day to try and cast their vote.” He also commended the people of Rivers state. “I told you from day one, not to worry. Your votes will count. I meant it,” Princewill said. Calling on the people of Rivers to remain law abiding following the ruling, Princewill said he would inform his supporters on his plans for the ordered rerun election.