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The Supreme Court has opted to withhold its judgment in the appeal brought forth by Patrick Tonye-Cole, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), challenging the victory of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara in the March 18, 2023 governorship election.
Tonye-Cole’s appeal stems from the November 28 decision of the Appeal Court, which dismissed his case, citing a lack of substantial and compelling evidence. The APC candidate alleges irregularities, non-compliance with the Electoral Act, and Fubara’s purported signing of documents as the Rivers State Accountant-General even after his nomination as the gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The appeal is directed against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, and Governor Fubara. A five-member panel led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun reserved judgment on the appeal after all involved parties presented their arguments.
In a related development, the Supreme Court also rejected the appeal of Innocent Kere from the Allied People’s Movement (APM) after his counsel withdrew it.
