Mr. Ebikoru Tebekaemi, Independent National
Electoral Commission’s Electoral Officer for Obio/Akpor Local Government Area
brought a mild drama to proceedings at the Rivers State Elections Petitions
Tribunal today when he told the court that he was not aware if card readers
were used for the April 11 governorship election.
Tebekaemi whose testimony was characterised by
inconsistencies and doublespeak added that election did not hold in Wards 12
and 13, representing Rumuigbo and Rumuokwuta respectively, yet he adjudged the
highly contentious election free and fair.
The witnessed stirred the court further when
Chief Akin Olujimi SAN, lawyer to the petitioner drew his attention to the
uncomplimentary report of the Elections Operation Support Centre, a body set up
by INEC to monitor elections. Olujimi’s emphasis on the centres’ unflattering
report further jolted the INEC electoral officer who reversed himself, adding
that the centre actually functioned partially.
One thing that was not lost on the people in
court today is that the first respondent, with just only a witness in a full
day, is not in any hurry to defend their position.
Olujimi corroborated this view shortly after the
tribunal’s adjournment.
“INEC opened their defence today. We had
expected that they would bring witnesses to justify the election they
conducted. But after questioning the E.O. from Obio/Akpor, they saw the signal
and didn’t want to call any more witnesses”.
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