January 15, (THEWILL) – The Supreme Court, on Monday, reserved judgement on the appeal filed by Tonye Cole of the All Progressives Congress (APC), against the victory of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the March 18th gubernatorial election in Rivers State.
A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, reserved judgement till a later date to be communicated to parties in the appeal after taking final arguments from their lawyers.
Cole and the APC are, by the appeal, seeking to set aside the November 28, 2023 judgement of the Court of Appeal, which affirmed Fubara’s election.
The appellants are claiming, among others, that the election was marred by irregularities, non-compliance with the Electoral Act and that Fubara did not resign before the election as required by the Constitution.
They alleged that Fubara continued to sign documents as the Rivers State’s Accountant-General after he was nominated the PDP governorship candidate for the election, allegations the governor has continued to fault.
The court also dismissed an appeal by the candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) in the election, Innocent Kere, after his lawyer applied to withdraw it.
