The Supreme Court, on Thursday, dismissed an appeal by the All Progressives Congress candidate in the Rivers State governorship election, Tonye Cole.
Cole asked the apex court to sack Siminalayi Fubara as governor of the state.
He alleged that the election was marred by irregularities and that Fubara did not validly resign his previous position as required by the law, before the election.
Both the tribunal and the Court of Appeal dismissed his case for want of merit.
Reading the lead judgment, Justice Ibrahim Saulawa dismissed Cole’s appeal.
The five-man panel in a unanimous decision held that the appellant failed to prove his allegations that there was non-compliance with the Electoral Act during the election.
The panel in the lead judgment delivered by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa affirmed Fubara’s election shortly after it dismissed the appeal by Tonye-Cole for being incompetent and lacking in merit.
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.
*God, Tinubu….
Shortly after the verdict, Governor Fubara expressed his gratitude to God, President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for his triumph at the Supreme Court.
The governor declared his resolve to remain committed to the purpose for which he was elected as governor saying nothing would distract his governance.
Fubara restated his commitment to governance on Thursday while reacting to the Supreme Court’s affirmation of his election as the governor of the state.
He said his triumph at the apex court had laid to rest the legal battles that added to the distractions his administration grappled with in the last eight months.
Fubara expressed gratitude to God for His help and to President Tinubu for his fatherly role concerning the internal crisis and the litigation against his election.
The governor in a statement signed by his special assistant, media, Boniface Onyedi, also extended gratitude to Wike, whom he described as his “Oga”, for all his support.
The governor called on everyone to join hands with his administration to build a competitive state that would be reckoned with as truly prosperous in all ramifications.
He said: “About an hour ago, the Supreme Court revalidated our mandate in the election. It is a victory for the entire State.
“It is important for us to note that we need this victory to consolidate the purpose of governance. Prior, we have had a few distractions here and there.
“And the good news that came to us this morning is a refreshing strength that will encourage us to continue the good works in governance.
“We have a dream of making it a highly competitive State that will measure, if not up to Lagos but close to becoming like Lagos. We can only achieve this in an atmosphere of peace.
“So I am calling on everyone, not just on our internal issue but those members from other parties, the issue is settled, come and let’s build the Rivers State of our dream.
“We will continue to protect and provide the basic needs of governance to everyone who is doing business and who lives in Rivers State.
“We would address our State very soon on the victory, but for now, let everybody be happy that one elephant is out of the road, the other one, by God’s help, will be resolved amicably and the family will be one.”