Sekibo, PDP senator, sacked by Rivers tribunal

The Rivers state elections petition tribunal has sacked George Thompson Sekibo, senator representing Rivers east.

The tribunal has declared Andrew Uchendu the winner of the senatorial election.

It also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Sekibo and issue a fresh certificate of return to Uchendu.

The tribunal’s decision was hinged on the fact that Uchendu won the lawful majority vote cast during the Rivers Re-run legislative election.‎

Uchendu had approached the tribunal with a petition asking the court to declare him the winner of the poll, alleging that INEC failed to take into cognisance the results of some wards and polling units before declaring Sekibo the winner of the polls.

The tribunal hinged its decision on substantial non-compliance with the electoral act and INEC guidelines.‎‎