The Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal on Saturday nullified Nyesom Wike’s victory as governor of Rivers State.

The tribunal, led by Justice Mohammed Ambrosa, which delivered the judgment in Abuja, also ordered that a fresh governorship election be conducted in the state.

Justice Ambroza in his judgment held that the petitioners proved that the election that produced Wike “did not substantially comply with the Electoral Act.”

Wike’s victory at the polls was challenged by the All Progressive Congress, APC, candidate, Dakuku Peterside, who alleged the the election was marred by irregularities.

The Rivers governorship election was  particularly controversial as it attracted heavy criticism, owing to pockets of violence witnessed by local and international observers before and after the elections.

The situation in the state has been calm following the announcement of Tribunal’s verdict.

Meanwhile, the counsel to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chris Uche, said Wike and the PDP will appeal the ruling of the tribunal.

But the APC through its national publicity secretary, Lai Mohammed, has hailed the verdict of the tribunal and described it as a deadly blow to impunity and hooliganism, insisting the only way for elections to have legitimacy is for them to be free, fair and credible.