BREAKING: Appeal Court Gives Verdict in Suit Seeking To Sack Gov Fubara of Rivers

BREAKING: Appeal Court Gives Verdict in Suit Seeking To Sack Gov Fubara of Rivers

  • The appellate court in Lagos state has dismissed the petition of Patrick Tonye-Cole, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State
  • The petition challenges the victory of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Saturday, March 18 gubernatorial poll
  • Similarly, the appellate court also rejected the Accord Party's petition and affirmed Governor Fubara's victory

Legit.ng journalist Segun Adeyemi has over 9 years of experience covering political events, civil societies, courts, and metro

The Appeal Court in Lagos state on Tuesday, November 28, rejected the petition filed by Patrick Tonye-Cole, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, against Governor Siminalayi Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Read also

Appeal court sacks Kaduna assembly speaker, details emerge

As reported by Channels TV, the appellate court also dismissed the Accord Party's petition.

Fubara, Rivers, appeal court
The appellate court dismissed the petition of the APC and Accord Party candidate. Photo Credit: Siminalayi Fubara
Source: Facebook

Cole, who was present in court, sought a ruling directing INEC to declare him the winner of the March governorship election in Rivers.

The Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal dismissed Cole's petition in October, stating that the APC, which sponsored him, had withdrawn the petition against Fubara's victory, The Nation reported.

Despite the Tribunal's decision, Cole appealed to the higher court, but on Tuesday, the appellate court upheld the Tribunal's ruling, confirming Fubara's electoral win in October.

Appeal court sacks Kaduna Assembly speaker

In another report, the Abuja division of the appeal court has delivered its judgment on the election that ushered in Hon Yusuf Dahiru Liman as the speaker in the Kaduna House of Assembly.

Read also

Milei heads to US as next Argentine leader

The appellate court delivered its verdict in favour of the PDP's case and ordered a rerun of the election.

The judges held that the APC's result (the margin of lead 382) was less than the number of PVCs collected in the above polling units.

“Public opinions can never take the place of law”, CJN to critics

Meanwhile, amid heavy criticism against the Nigerian judiciary, judges have been told to stay firm and unfazed by public opinion.

This charge was given to the judges by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

He stated that public opinions and sentiments would not sway and pressure the judiciary.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Segun Adeyemi avatar

Segun Adeyemi (Current Affairs and Politics Editor) Segun Adeyemi is a journalist with over 9 years of experience as an active field reporter, editor, and editorial manager. He has had stints with Daily Trust newspaper, Daily Nigerian, and News Digest. He currently works as an editor for Legit.ng's current affairs and politics desk. He holds a degree in Mass Communication (Adekunle Ajasin University). He is a certified digital reporter by Reuters, AFP and the co-convener of the annual campus journalism awards. Email: segun.adeyemi@corp.legit.ng.