Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has ordered a rerun of Rivers East Senatorial election.

It was the unanimous judgement delivered by a panel of three justices.

The case was filed by Senator Magnus Abe of APC against against PDP’s  Senator Olaka Wogu who was declared the winner of the election into the Senatorial district by INEC.

The court has also nullified the election of Senator Osinaka Ideuzo of PDP. In the unanimous judgement delivered by Justice Abdullahi Gumel, the court ordered a rerun of the election in 90 days.

The judge was specific that by the court’s finding, lawful accreditation did not take place in majority of the voting centres.

Justice Gumel held that from the available evidence, including the ones led by INEC and the appellants, the election of March 28, 2015 in Rivers State, did not conform with set guidelines such as the use of voter card reader machines, voter register and other election guidelines.

He noted that from available evidence, all the polling units in the two senatorial districts abandoned the use of card reader machines, thereby giving way to manipulations.

The judge added that there was no proper accreditation of voters on election day as required by law, adding that election without accreditation, as in the instant case cannot stand in the face of the law.

He held that an act done in contravention of the law is nothing but a nullity and illegality.

He upheld the appeals and ordered INEC to conduct fresh elections in the affected senatorial districts within 60 days.

Yesterday, the same court had nullified the election of Senator George Sekibo, meaning that the PDP has lost all its three senate seats acquired in violation of electoral laws.

In all the appeal court delivered judgment in 14 cases.

Among the cases decided was that of appeal  against  Rep Dawari George of Akukutoru\ Asatoru federal constituency of Rivers State.

His election was also nullified. The court ordered fresh election in 60 days.

Also nullified was the election of the  PDP  member representing Andoni\Opobo\Nporo federal constituency of Rivers State in the House of Representatives .

The Appeal court ordered INEC to conduct a fresh election for the constituency in 60 days.