Blessing Okorite, Port Harcourt
The Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt has again upheld the re-election of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike as the Court struck out the appeal filed by the Governorship Candidate of Action Democratic Party (ADP), Mr. Victor Fingesi.
Fingesi had approached the Appeal court after the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal on October 5, 2019 dismissed his petition challenging the re-election of Governor Wike, during the 2019 Election.
The Appeal court in an unanimous judgment on Monday, struck out the Appeal by the ADP governorship candidate for lack of merit.
Justice H.N Ogunwimiji who read the judgment declared that the ADP Governorship Candidate failed to prove that the election was marred by irregularities.
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Justice Ogunwimiji stated that the ADP Governorship Candidate couldn’t adduce evidence that would invalidate the elections of Governor Wike.
The Court of Appeal stated that anyone who asserts must have relevant evidence to prove such allegations.
The Court also declared that INEC has the power to take action on elections when emergencies arise. The Appeal Court said that INEC derived such powers from Section 26 (1) of the Electoral Act.
The panel further held that the petitioner lacked the locus standi to file the petition as earlier ruled by the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal.
The panel, Justice T.N Orji Ababua, Justice U. Omyenenn, Justice H.A Barka and Justice I.B Idiris agreed with the lead judgment.
