The Supreme Court has deferred judgment on the appeal brought 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.
The appeal by Mr. Tonye-Cole stems from the decision of the Appeal Court on November 28, which dismissed his appeal on grounds of lacking sufficient and convincing evidence.
The crux of Tonye-Cole’s case revolves around allegations of irregularities, non-compliance with the Electoral Act, and Governor Fubara’s purported continued signing of documents as the Rivers State Accountant-General after being nominated as the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The APC governorship candidate directed his appeal against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, and Governor Fubara.
A five-member panel, presided over by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, reserved judgment after all involved parties in the case presented their briefs of arguments.
In a related development, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal of Innocent Kere from the Allied People’s Movement (APM) after his counsel withdrew the appeal.