Fayose, Ekweremadu laud S- Court on Rivers, Ebonyi
By Dayo Benson, Jimitota Onoyume, Henry Umoru, Abdulwahab Abdulah, Ikechukwu Nnochiri, Dapo Akinrefon & Joseph Erunke
ABUJA — The Supreme Court has upheld the outcome of the April 11, 2015 governorship election that brought Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State to power.
The apex court in a unanimous judgment, restored the declaration of Wike as the valid winner of the poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, who delivered the lead verdict, held that three separate appeals filed by Wike, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and INEC, were meritorious.
Concurrent judgments of both the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and that of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal were all set aside by the Supreme Court.
The apex court panel headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, however, reserved their reasons for the judgment till February 12.
Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike ; his wife Justice Suzzette Nyesom-Wike and others celebrating the Supreme Court judgement validating his election, yesterday in Port Harcourt.
Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike ; his wife Justice Suzzette Nyesom-Wike and others celebrating the Supreme Court judgement validating his election, yesterday in Port Harcourt.
Also the apex court, yesterday, upheld the elections of governors Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State and Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State.
Meanwhile, reacting to his victory, Governor Wike said the court victory was a victory for the rule of law and people of Rivers State.
Wike added that the Supreme Court judgment was a victory for democracy and a confirmation that the will of God will always prevail over the machinations of men.
