Supreme Court ruling has calmed political tension in Rivers — Elders Council

The Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council led by a former governor of the state, Chief Rufus Ada George, has commended the recent ruling of the Supreme Court which affirmed the victory of Governor Sminialayi Fubara in the March 18, 2023 governorship election.

The apex court, in a ruling on Thursday, dismissed the application filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Tonye Cole, challenging the outcome of the March governorship election that was held in the state.

In a unanimous decision by a five-member panel led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the apex court said Mr Cole’s appeal lacked merit, and as such could not dislodge the concurrent verdicts of the Court of Appeal and the Rivers State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which upheld Fubara’s victory at the poll.

The court further held that Cole did not establish that the election was not conducted in compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.

Reacting to the apex court verdict, the Rivers Elders Council said the judgment has calmed all fray nerves and political tension that has saturated the state for months.

In a communiqué issued on Friday and entitled ‘The Apex Court Has Spoken’, the council said all residents and stakeholders in the state must comply with the judgment, because it has ‘laid to rest the era of strong men’ for strong and viable institutions to thrive in the state.

“The Supreme Court of Nigeria which is the Apex Temple of Justice in Nigeria has spoken and therefore the Forum invites all men and women of goodwill and responsible candour to obey its judgment.

“Based on the verdict of the Supreme Court, we in this Forum Congratulate Our Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, GSSRS, and his Deputy, Professor Ngozi Ordu, DSSRS, on their victory at the various courts of law and thus wish them God’s guidance, protection and speed in the administration of our dear state.

“We also congratulate the Supreme Court for this excellent timeous determination of the electoral matters in Rivers State. The judgment has calmed the outstanding political tension in the State and indeed the Niger Delta.

“In this contest, there is no victor, no vanquished. All we crave for at this Forum is the sanctity of the laws of the country and the Rule of Law. This judgment lays to rest the era of strong men, but protects and encourages strong and viable institutions,” the council stated.

Speaking further, it called on the state governor to henceforth govern the state in line with established constitutional provisions and Acts.

“The Forum therefore calls on His Excellency, Governor Siminialayi Fubara to continue to: govern with the fear of God and in the dictates of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, govern with a large heart, accommodating all views, in the best interest of Rivers State.

“He should also deploy the resources of the state for the appropriate development of Rivers State. Finally, the Apex Law Court in Nigeria has spoken. Hence, let all political guns be silent forever,” the council declared.