The Appeal Court sitting in Lagos today Tuesday dismissed the petition filed by the Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Patrick Tonye-Cole, against Governor Siminalayi Fubara of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Cole had also joined the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the suit, challenging Fubara’s victory at the 2023 governorship elections.
The appellate court also dismissed the petition of Accord Party.
Cole prayed the court to direct INEC to declare him the winner of the March governorship election in Rivers, although he had initially lost at the tribunal.
The APC candidate was present in the courtroom today when the Appeal Court delivered the unfavourable ruling.
Similarly, the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had in October dismissed the petition of Cole, on the grounds that APC that sponsored Cole had withdrawn the petition against Fubara’s victory.
Dissatisfied with the tribunal, Cole approached the appellate court.