Wike heads to Supreme Court to reclaim mandate

By Lemmy Ughegbe

 

Wike, Rivers state governor

In a swift reaction to the ruling of the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja affirming the nullification of his election as the governor of Rivers Sate by the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal, Governor Nyesom Wike has instructed his lawyers to proceed to the Supreme Court to challenge the judgment.

In an electronic statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, Wike said he “disagrees with the judgment, hence his decision to exhaust his constitutional right by challenging the Appeal Court judgment at the Supreme Court.”

The statement, in part, reads: “Governor Wike called on all his supporters and the people of Rivers State to remain calm as Justice will be done at the end of day.

“He assured the people of the state that he will use all constitutional processes to protect the mandate they freely bestowed on him, hence his decision to approach the Supreme Court for further adjudication.

“The governor said that he still remains the duly elected governor of Rivers State pending the determination of his appeal by the Supreme Court.

“Governor Wike assured the people of Rivers State that all ongoing development projects will continue while his administration will continue to promote the security of lives and property across the state.”

It would be recalled that the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal had on October 24 nullified the April 12 governorship.

The tribunal led by Justice Suleiman Ambrosa had also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a fresh election within 90 ‎days.

Dissatisfied with the tribunal’s decision, Wike approached the Appeal Court, seeking to set aside the tribunal’s verdict, but failed to do so following the dismissal of his appeal for want of merit.

Again dissatisfied with the appellate court’s verdict, Wike has now resolved to go to the final court – the Supreme Court.