By Emeka Amaefula
SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT VICTORY IS FOR RIVERS STATE CITIZENS-GOV. FUBARA SPEAKS OUT
Supreme Court of Nigeria on Thursday 25th of January 2024 dismissed the appeal filed by All Progressives Congress APC Rivers state governorship candidate Pastor Tonye Cole challenging the victory of Sir Siminialayi Fubara on the account of his inability to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt. Pastor Tonye Cole had alleged that Fubara didn’t resign his Civil Service Appointment as enshrined in the Electoral Act 2022 as Amended.
Reading the judgement, it was declared that All Progressives Congress APC Governorship candidate failed in his appeal which all lacked merit. Reacting to the Supreme Court Judgment many Rivers state citizens had declared the victory as new dawn for the liberation of Rivers people from the oppressive tendencies of political wolves.
The elated Rivers state Governor Sir Siminialayi Fubara in reaction to the Judgement said “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.”
However, Rivers state Council of Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ in a Press statement by Chairman of the Council Comrade Stanley Job Stanley and signed by Secretary Comrade Ike Wigodo as made available to the press wrote “The Rivers state Council of the Nigerian of Journalists (NUJ) warmly felicitates with the Executive Governor of Rivers state, His Excellency Sir Siminialayi Fubara, on his affirmation by the Supreme Court as the duly elected governor of the state during the March 18th Governorship poll.
“The judgement of the Apex Court has finally put to rest the prolonged legal battle arising from the outcome of the governorship election in the state. The statement appealed to Governor Fubara to be magnanimous in victory and see his victory as a birthday gift to him and his good people of Rivers state. Fubara’s first birthday as a governor comes up on Sunday 28th of January, 2024.” The governor admitted that “the good news that came to us this morning is a refreshing strength that will encourage us to continue the good works in governance.”
He expressed gratitude to God for His help and, to President Bola Tinubu for his fatherly role concerning the internal crisis and the litigation against his election.
The Press Statement made available by the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant SSA, on Media Boniface Onyedi stated that Gov. Fubara extended gratitude to the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), whom he described as his “Oga”, for all his support. The governor called on everyone to join hands with his administration to build a competitive State that will be reckoned with as truly prosperous in all ramifications.
In his reaction Gov concluded, “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
However, Rivers state Council of Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ in a Press statement by Chairman of the Council Comrade Stanley Job Stanley and signed by Secretary Comrade Ike Wigodo as made available to the press wrote “The Rivers state Council of the Nigerian of Journalists (NUJ) warmly felicitates with the Executive Governor of Rivers state, His Excellency Sir Siminialayi Fubara, on his affirmation by the Supreme Court as the duly elected governor of the state during the March 18th Governorship poll.
“The judgment of the Apex Court has finally put to rest the prolonged legal battle arising from the outcome of the governorship election in the state. The statement appealed to Governor Fubara to be magnanimous in victory and see his victory as a birthday gift to him and his good people of Rivers state. Fubara’s first birthday as a governor comes up on Sunday 28th of January, 2024.” Elsewhere in Rivers state people were seen jubilating and calling on the Rivers state Governor Siminialayi Fubara to move on with his developmental plan for the people especially the rural people of the state.
————————–Emeka Amaefula————–+234(0)8111813069
