January 25, (THEWILL) – The Supreme Court, on Thursday, affirmed the victory of Governor Siminalayi Fubara in the 2023 gubernatorial election in Rivers State.
A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, dismissed the appeal filed by Tonye Cole, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 18th gubernatorial election in Rivers State as lacking merit.
Cole had prayed the apex court to set aside the November 28, 2023, judgment of the Court of Appeal, which affirmed Fubara’s election.
The appellant contended that the election was marred by irregularities and non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
Cole further alleged that Fubara did not resign before the election as required by the Constitution. He alleged that Fubara continued to sign documents as the Rivers State’s Accountant-General after he was nominated as the PDP governorship candidate for the election.
Delivering judgement on Thursday, the apex court, in a lead judgment delivered by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, upheld the two separate judgements which earlier affirmed the victory of Governor Fubara in the March 18th election.
According to Saulawa, the appellant did not prove his allegations of over-voting, non-compliance as well as non-qualification of Fubara to contest the election.
“This appeal is grossly lacking in merit and liable to be dismissed and it is accordingly dismissed,” Justice Saulawa held.
Earlier, the court dismissed the appeal filed by Innocent Kere, candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in the election.
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