Rivers: Supreme Court reserves judgment on Gov. Fubura’s election

It is the case of the appellant that as of the March 18 governorship election, Fubara did not resign as Rivers State Accountant General contrary to relevant laws of the land.

Specifically, the APC governorship candidate’s case is hinged on alleged irregularities, non-compliance with the Electoral Act, and Fubara’s continued signing of documents as the Rivers State’s Accountant-General after he was nominated the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The appellate court while dismissing his appeal, agreed with the judgment of the Rivers State Tribunal which described Cole’s petition as lacking in merit and failing to prove that Fubara was not qualified to contest.

The tribunal also observed that the Rivers APC faction that sponsored Cole had withdrawn the petition against Fubara’s victory.

Dissatisfied with the concurrent verdicts of the court below, the APC candidate approached the apex court for redress.

Lead counsel to Tonye-Cole,  Jibril Okutepa (SAN),  insisted that Fubara contravened electoral laws based on his previous arguments at the court below.

He urged the five-member panel of the apex court led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to set aside the judgments of the lower courts and sack Fubara.

But on his part, Governor Fubura through his lead counsel, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) urged the apex court to uphold his client’s election in line with the concurrent findings of the courts below.

Subsequently, the apex court reserved judgment in the case.

Meanwhile, counsel to the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Innocent Kere, voluntarily withdrew the party’s case.

Consequently, it was dismissed by the apex court.