The All Progressives Congress candidate in the Rivers State governorship election, Tonye Cole, has urged his supporters to stay strong and not let the Supreme Court verdict against him make them sad.
The candidate made the appeal in a post obtained by Metronetworknews from Rivers APC New Media Facebook page.
His words; ” My dear friends, I didn’t go this journey alone but did so with you by my side. Without your constant encouragement and hope, who knows where we would have collapsed? Because of you, we fought a good fight.
”The result today may be disappointing, but it is only temporary. We have so much to gain moving forward, so weep for today only. Tomorrow, we stand again, hold up our heads, and forge on. Aluta continua.”
It will be recalled that the Supreme Court early morning of Thursday 25th January, 2024 dismissed the appeal of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Governorship candidate, in it’s entirely for lack of merit.
Cole asked the apex court to sack Siminalayi Fubara as governor of the state.
He alleged that the election was marred by irregularities and that Fubara did not validly resign his previous position as required by the law, before the election.
Both the tribunal and the Court of Appeal dismissed his case for want of merit.
Reading the lead judgment, Justice Ibrahim Saulawa dismissed Cole’s appeal.
The five-man panel in a unanimous decision held that the appellant failed to prove his allegations that there was non-compliance with the Electoral Act during the election.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has felicitated with Gov. Fubara, on his affirmation by the Supreme Court as the duly elected Governor of the State during the March 18 governorship poll.
In a statement issued on Thursday and jointly signed by the Chairman, Stanley Job Stanley and the Secretary, Ike Wigodo, the union said; ”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.
It described the Court’s declaration as a confirmation of the people’s trust and mandate freely given to the governor.
It appealed to Governor Fubara to be magnanimous in victory and also see his victory at the Apex court as a birthday gift to him and the good people of Rivers State.
”Fubara’s first birthday as a governor comes up on Sunday, 28th of January, 2024”, the NUJ noted.
It urged the governor not to be distracted by political opponents but to focus on delivering good governance to the people of Rivers State.
The Union also advised the opponents to accept the Supreme Court’s judgement in good faith and join hands with the government to move the state forward.
“We urge the people of Rivers State, especially the political class, to put all that happened during and after the elections in the state behind them and support the Siminilayi Fubara-led government to succeed and make Rivers State a better place for all”, the statement added.
The NUJ assured Governor Fubara and his government of its unwavering support in moving the State forward.
