Governor heads to Supreme Court over elections

monjola sotubo

December 16, 2015 3:54 PM

The Appeal Court, today, December 16, upheld the decision of the state election petition tribunal and ordered Wike to vacate the office immediately.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has said that he will go to the Supreme Court to challenge the decision of the Appeal Court nullifying his victory in the April 11 2015 elections.

The governor announced his decision to approach the apex court via his Facebook page.

He wrote:

“I will proceed to Supreme Court following Appeal Court judgment. The Appeal Court Panel presided over Justice Dongban Memsem has ordered the re-run of the Rivers State Governorship Election within 90 days.”

“However, my legal team has concluded plans to appeal the judgment to the Supreme Court.”

He also issued a statement through his media aide, Simeon Nwakaudu.

It reads in part:

“Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has instructed his lawyers to appeal today's judgment of the Court of Appeal which ordered fresh governorship election in the state.”

“Governor Wike called on all his supporters and the people of Rivers State to remain calm as justice will be done at the end of day.”

“He assured the people of the state that he will use all constitutional processes to protect the mandate they freely bestowed on him, hence his decision to approach the Supreme Court for further adjudication.”

“The governor said that he still remains the duly elected governor of Rivers State pending the determination of his appeal by the Supreme Court.”

The tribunal had nullified Wike’s election victory on October 24 and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) to conduct fresh elections in the statewithin 90 days.

The Appeal Court supported this decision citing violations of the Electoral Act during the Rivers polls.

Wike’s victory had been challenged by opponent and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Dakuku Peterside.

The governor had approached the Appeal Court in a bid to set aside the tribunal’s judgment and also lost at the Supreme Court where he went to challenge the tribunal’s jurisdiction.

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