The Rivers State Governorship Elections Tribunal sitting in Abuja has dismissed an application by Governor NYESOM WIKE challenging the qualification of DAKUKU PETERSIDE of the All Progressives Congress for the election on 11th of April.

Governor WIKE had told the Tribunal that the APC governorship candidate was not properly nominated to contest the governorship election and has no grounds to challenge the outcome of the poll.

Arguing in a preliminary objection, counsel to the governor, EMMANUEL UKALA who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, argued that by the provision of Section 85, sub-section one of the Electoral Act, the APC failed to notify the Independent National Electoral Commission at least twenty-one days before the governorship primaries.

However; the APC counsel, AKIN OLUJIMI on his part argued that in raising the point, which borders on non-qualification of the APC candidate, WIKE failed to file a cross-petition as provided in the Electoral Act.

He presented a certified copy of letter dated September 19, 2014 written by the APC to INEC on the governorship primaries in Rivers State, which was admitted by the tribunal.

In the ruling yesterday, the tribunal led by Justice PINDIGA dismissed the application by Governor WIKE on grounds that it lacked validity.