Supreme Court Reserves Judgment in Rivers Governorship Appeal

In a high-stakes legal battle, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has reserved judgment in the appeal filed by Patrick Tonye-Cole, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), challenging the victory of Governor Siminalayi Fubara in the March 18, 2023, Rivers State governorship election.

The appeal comes on the heels of the Appeal Court’s decision on November 28, 2023, which dismissed Tonye-Cole’s claims for lack of sufficient and convincing evidence.

At the core of Tonye-Cole’s appeal are allegations of irregularities, non-compliance with the Electoral Act, and Fubara’s alleged signing of documents as the Rivers State Accountant-General even after becoming the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The case involves key players, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, and Governor Fubara.

Chaired by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, a five-member panel oversaw the proceedings. The apex court’s decision, yet to be scheduled, will undoubtedly carry significant ramifications for the political landscape of Rivers State. The outcome will not only shape the future of governance in the region but may also influence the trajectory of electoral disputes in the state and beyond.

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In a parallel development, the court also dismissed the appeal of Innocent Kere of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) after the counsel voluntarily withdrew the case. As legal intricacies unfold, political observers keenly await the Supreme Court’s judgment, anticipating its potential reverberations on the political dynamics in Rivers State.