RIVERS POLL: APC asks tribunal to disqualify self over allegation of bias


ABUJA—The All Progressives Congress, APC, has asked the Justice I.W. Jaro-led tribunal currently hearing all the petitions lodged by its candidates in the March 28, 2015, National Assembly elections in Rivers State, to disqualify itself.
APC,  through its team of lawyers led by Chief B.E. Nwofor, SAN,  said it no longer has confidence in the ability of members of the tribunal to objectively determine petitions of its National Assembly candidates filed against  the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidates in Rivers State.
It specifically accused the Justice Jaro-led panel of deliberately assisting the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to stall proceedings at the tribunal by granting frivolous applications.
Besides, it alleged that in the petition that was filed by its candidate for Rivers East Senatorial District, Chief Andrew Igbonule Uchendu against Senator  George Thompson Sekibo of the PDP, marked EPT/RV/NASS/14/15, the tribunal, granted an application before it was moved.
According to the APC, the tribunal sidelined its own motion that sought to expedite hearing on all the petitions before it.
It alleged that instead of commencing hearing on the substantive suits, the tribunal rather chose to firstly hear and determine over 16 pending preliminary objections that were raised  by the PDP and other respondents in the matter.