ABUJA, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Nigeria's Supreme Court on Thursday nullified the election in the oil-producing Niger Delta state of Rivers, the third major indictment of April's vote this month.

The elections were meant to be a democratic milestone for Africa's most populous country, but they were so marred by fraud and violence that international observers said they were "not credible".

The Supreme Court ruled Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who won the primaries for the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) in December, was the lawfully elected governor of Rivers, not Celestine Omehia.

Omehia did not win the primary but his name replaced Amaechi's on the ballot as the PDP candidate in the April 14 vote.

The ruling has the potential of sparking a fresh wave of trouble in Africa's oil heartland, where politicians are backed by rival armed groups.

Omehia's removal came days after another court nullified of the election of Saidu Usman Dakingari, a son-in-law of President Umaru Yar'Adua, on Saturday as the governor of the northwestern state of Kebbi.

Dakingari, who defected from an opposition party shortly before the elections, was not a member of PDP when the party nominated him for the polls, the court said. Dakingari has said he will appeal against the ruling.

Another court in the central state of Kogi on Oct. 10 nullified the election of Ibrahim Idris as governor because the electoral body had removed the name of a key opposition party candidate from the ballot. Idris also said he will appeal.

lionking  Villager

# 1 Channels TV is reporting that the Supreme Court has annulled Celestine Omehia's election as Rivers state governor and ordered immediate swearing in of Rotimi Amaechi. Posted by lionking| 25.10.2007 08:40

orube  Villager

# 2 Wow! this is a welcome development...i hail the supreme court judges for their verdict...there is indeed hope for Nigeria! Posted by orube| 25.10.2007 08:54

ikechiji  Villager

# 3 I Am Loving Our Supreme Court! The Law Of The Land Reigns Supreme!!! However, I am surprised that Amaechi was ordered to be sworn in. He technically was not on the ballot. I thought they would order new elections! It would be interesting to see what happens at the elections tribunal. Who is the defendant? Omehia, Amaechi or PDP? Posted by ikechiji| 25.10.2007 08:56

Auspicious  Villager

# 4 Noooooo Kidding! How dare they annull that election? What? The elections we Iwuruwurously conducted? Ooooooooh No! These elections were the freest and thefairest ever!@! I mean...Mr Maurice Iwu almost punched thatGerman for questioning the integrity of these elections.. And for a good reason too! I mean..I mean..gosh..I am so disappointed in the Supreme Court! This is a travesty of Justice - a Harvest of Justice! Hip, Hip, Hip? Huraaaaaay! Auspicious. Posted by Auspicious| 25.10.2007 08:56

skanbroy  Villager

# 5 Please can a lawyer help make some sense out of this supreme court verdict. Why should Amaechi be sworn in when he was not on the ballot at the last election? Posted by skanbroy| 25.10.2007 08:58

lionking  Villager

# 6 Channels TV has just reported that the Supreme Court says the reasons for the judgement will be given on November 18th. It was a unanimous judgement. lead judgement given by Justice Aloysius Iyorgyer Katsina-Alu Posted by lionking| 25.10.2007 09:03

pappilo  Villager

# 7 It is only in Nigeria (Africa) you can win an election without contesting. Is this not the same amaechi that was involved in a corruption case the EFCC was investigating? Posted by pappilo| 25.10.2007 09:08

denker  Villager

# 8 =ikechiji;2091812998>I Am Loving Our Supreme Court! The Law Of The Land Reigns Supreme!!! However, I am surprised that Amaechi was ordered to be sworn in. He technically was not on the ballot. I thought they would order new elections! It would be interesting to see what happens at the elections tribunal. Who is the defendant? Omehia, Amaechi or PDP? ikechiji, nwanne, we don finish bi dat, no more chop...o!lord:p:D Supreme Court Kicks Out Ome... October 25th, 2007 · No Comments Supreme Court,Nigeria’s apex court has declared ruled that Governor Celestine Omehia was not rightfully elected as Governor of Rivers States and must vacate office immediately. The court ordered that Rotimi Amaechi be sworn in as the new governor of the state. This is breaking news. Details shortly. Posted by denker| 25.10.2007 09:09

Airblaze  Villager

# 9 hey so interstin ! so much looting will be goin on as we speak now....chei ! all those pple wey tink say nah there time to chop belle full don jam hard rock ooo........kudos to the supreme court and kudos to Amaechi's persistence... long live the Supreme Court long live Nigeria Long live Africa Posted by Airblaze| 25.10.2007 09:19

felix  Villager

# 10 Hmmmmm, but is Amaechi any inch better??? Afterall he was part and parcel of Odilis political machine. Posted by felix| 25.10.2007 09:26

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