PAUL ADAMU GALINJE, J.C.A (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The 1st Appellant herein was a candidate sponsored by the 2nd Appellant, a political party in an election which was conducted, by Independent National Electoral commission to elect a member for Bonny state constituency into Rivers State House of assembly.
Several other political parties sponsored candidates in the same election. One of those candidates is the 1st Respondent who was sponsored by the 2nd Respondent.
At the end of the election, the 1st Respondent was declared the winner and therefore returned as member representing Bonny state constituency in the Rivers state House of Assembly. The Appellants are dissatisfied with the declaration and return. By a petition dated 17/05/2011 and filed on the 18/05/2011, they challenged the result of the election at the National and State Houses of assembly election Petition Tribunal Holden at Port Harcourt. Notice of presentation of the petition was served on the 3rd - 5th respon…