By Jimitota Onoyume

PORT HAR-COURT— Former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr  Chibudom Nwuche, has challenged his defeat, Tuesday, at the Rivers West senatorial primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, before the Electoral Appeal Panel of the party.

Nwuche, who spoke to newsmen after his appearance at the panel in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said that the election was a sham, stressing that non-delegates were brought in to vote.

According to him, ballots were stuffed during the election. Nwuche who expressed hope that his party will  redress the alleged injustice against him, reaffirmed his support for President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said: “I just came from the appeal panel sitting in Port Harcourt today (yesterday). You will recall that they first announced that the primaries would hold at  Oroworoko, but later changed the venue that Tuesday, without informing me. As a contestant,  I only got to know of the change about 9a.m., that day. Non-delegates were allowed to vote. I had wanted a proper delegates election.  I feel sad for our democracy, I feel sad for our state.

“I have confidence in the party. Nobody owns the party. I told them the issues, non- delegates voted, there was ballot stuffing. I expect justice in this appeal process. This impunity and recklessness is amazing. I appeal to the party for justice, “ he said.

Some of his supporters also  called for the outright cancellation of the result of the primaries, saying it did not reflect the wishes of the people.