By Ken Afor
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his victory at the Supreme Court is crucial in consolidating the purpose of governance in the state.
According to the governor, the apex court’s verdict has laid to rest the legal battles that his administration grappled with in the last eight months.
He made this statement at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday, shortly after the court dismissed Mr. Tonye Cole’s appeal, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), challenging the outcome of the March 18 governorship election.
It would be recalled that on Thursday, a five-member panel headed by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun dismissed the appeal filed by the APC candidate for lack of merit.
Mr. Cole, who received a total of 95,274 votes against Fubara’s 302,614 votes, proceeded to the Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal to challenge the outcome of the election.
According to the APC candidate, the election was marred by corrupt practices, insisting that it was not conducted in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
He added that Fubara erred by not validly resigning from his previous position as the Accountant-General of Rivers State, as required by the law, before the election was held.
Mr. Cole further alleged that Fubara was still performing official duties, signing documents as the Accountant-General of the state, following his nomination as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the election.
However, his case was dismissed by the tribunal and the Court of Appeal for lack of merit including the apex court.
Reacting to Thursday’s verdict, Fubara expressed gratitude to God for His help and to President Bola Tinubu for his leadership role in the internal crisis in the state.
He also extended gratitude to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, the immediate past governor of the state whom he described as his “Oga,” for his support.
Fubara called on Rivers people to join hands with his administration to build a formidable state.
He said, “About an hour ago, the Supreme Court revalidated our mandate in the election. It is a victory for the entire State.”
“It is important for us to note that we need this victory to consolidate the purpose of governance. Prior, we have had a few distractions here and there. And the good news that came to us this morning is a refreshing strength that will encourage us to continue the good works in governance.”
“We have a dream of making it a highly competitive State that will measure, if not up to Lagos but close to becoming like Lagos. We can only achieve this in an atmosphere of peace.”
“So I am calling on everyone, not just on our internal issue but those members from other parties, the issue is settled, come and let’s build the Rivers State of our dream.
“We will continue to protect and provide the basic needs of governance to everyone who is doing business and who lives in Rivers State. We would address our State very soon on the victory, but for now, let everybody be happy that one elephant is out of the road, the other one, by God’s help, will be resolved amicably and the family will be one.”
