An Appeal Court sitting in Lagos State has nullified the petition of the All Progressives Party, (APC) Governorship Candidate in Rivers State, Patrick Tonye-Cole against the Governor of the State and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Candidate, Siminalayi Fubara on Tuesday.
This is following the suit filed by Tonye Cole questioning the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC’s declaration of Fubara as the winner of the March 18, 2023 guber poll in the State.
News About Nigeria recalls that Cole had earlier filed a petition at the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in October.
However, the case was dismissed by the tribunal on the grounds that the APC that sponsored Cole had withdrawn the petition against Fubara’s victory.
Similarly, the All Progressives Congress (APC) had appealed the judgement of the Governorship Election Tribunal against Fabura on the same claim.
In its judgement, the three-man panel of the Tribunal, dismissed the petition of Cole for lacking merits on the grounds that he lacked the power to independently challenge the victory of Governor Fubara without his political party.
However, Cole, who was still not satisfied with the judgement of the tribunal, approached the appellate court, which also affirmed the tribunal ruling that earlier upheld Fubara’s electoral victory in October.
Before the Appeal Court’s judgement, Fubara had alleged on Monday that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, plans to use the courts to impeach him.
This is coming as the frienddship between Wike and Fubara went south.
The Governor survived an impeachment move alleged to have been initiated by Wike.
