R. D. MUHAMMAD, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): On the 19th day of April, 2003, the Independent National Electoral Commission (hereinafter referred to as "INEC") conducted elections throughout the country, for the election into the offices of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Governors of the thirty six States. In Rivers State of Nigeria, there were several candidates, who contested for the office of the Governor, among whom were chief sergeant Chidi Awuse, the appellant herein, who was sponsored by the All Nigeria Peoples Party and Dr. Peter Odili, the first respondent herein, who contested on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party. At the conclusion of the election, Dr. Peter Odili was on the 20th day of April, 2003, returned as the winner.
The appellant was not satisfied with the result and as such, he filed an election petition No. NAGLHEP/RV/1/2003 in the National Assembly/Governorship and Legislative Houses Petition Tribunal, Rivers State, chal…