Supreme Court Affirms Siminalayi Fubara as Rivers State GovernorIn a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has upheld the election of Siminalayi Fubara as the Governor of Rivers State.
The legal challenge arose when Partick Tonye Cole, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), contested Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s election.
Cole argued that Fubara was ineligible to run for governor, citing his continued employment as the Accountant General of Rivers State during the election period.
Fubara, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), secured victory in the governorship election by garnering 302,614 votes, surpassing Cole’s 95,274 votes.
Previous rulings from both the Tribunal and the Appeal Court had consistently dismissed Mr. Cole’s case, deeming it lacking in merit.
The courts noted the absence of credible evidence to support claims of non-qualification, corrupt practices, and non-compliance, thereby reinforcing Fubara’s electoral triumph.The Supreme Court, in its recent judgment on Thursday, reaffirmed the Appellate Court’s decision.
The panel of five justices, led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, held that the APC governorship candidate failed to substantiate allegations of over-voting and non-compliance against Governor Fubara. Consequently, the Apex Court dismissed Patrick Tonye-Cole’s appeal, deeming it devoid of merit.
This ruling solidifies Siminalayi Fubara’s position as the legitimate Governor of Rivers State.Credit: Arise Tv News