Rivers State Governor, iminalayi Fubara has stated that the legal disputes that have been a distraction for his administration over the past eight months have been resolved as a result of his Supreme Court victory.
Nonetheless, he vowed to stick to the reason he was elected and said he would not let anything divert attention from the state’s governance.
Tonye Cole, the All Progressives Congress candidate for governor of Rivers State, had his appeal denied by the Supreme Court on Thursday.
Cole petitioned the supreme court to remove Fubara from office as state governor.
Cole’s appeal was denied by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, who read the main decision on Thursday.
In a unanimous ruling, the appellant’s claims that the Electoral Act was not followed during the election were deemed unfounded by the five-member panel of the highest court.
He claimed that there were irregularities in the election and that Fubara had not duly resigned from his prior position prior to the election, as required by law.
Both the tribunal and the Court of Appeal dismissed his case for want of merit.
But reacting to the Supreme Court judgment which affirmed his election in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Fubara said, “About an hour ago, the Supreme Court revalidated our mandate in the election. It is a victory for the entire state.
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“It is important for us to note that we need this victory to consolidate the purpose of governance. Prior, we have had a few distractions here and there.
“And the good news that came to us this morning is a refreshing strength that will encourage us to continue the good works in governance.”
Fubara thanked God and President Bola Tinubu for his fatherly role concerning the internal crisis and the litigation against his election.
He also extended gratitude to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, whom he described as his “Oga” for all his support.
The governor called on everyone to join hands with his administration to build a competitive state that will be reckoned with as truly prosperous in all ramifications.
“We have a dream of making it a highly competitive state that will measure, if not up to Lagos but close to becoming like Lagos. We can only achieve this in an atmosphere of peace.
“So I am calling on everyone, not just on our internal issue but those members from other parties, the issue is settled, come and let’s build the Rivers State of our dream.
“We will continue to protect and provide the basic needs of governance to everyone who is doing business and who lives in Rivers State.
“We will address our state very soon on the victory, but for now, let everybody be happy that one elephant is out of the road, the other one, by God’s help, will be resolved amicably and the family will be one,” he said.
