Appeal Court Sacks Rivers Governor, Wike

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has been ordered to vacate his seat by the Court of Appeal, in confirmation of an earlier judgment by the Rivers State Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal.
Recall that the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja had sacked Wike in October and also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh polls within 90 days.

This was following a petition filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Dakuku Peterside, citing non-compliance with electoral guidelines.

However, the governor had petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn the judgment, with the argument that the tribunal could not unseat him since it held its proceedings in Abuja instead of Rivers State.

The Supreme Court had thrown out his petition, stating security reasons for the decision of the tribunal to hold its proceedings in the Federal Capital instead of Rivers.

However, in a statement issued today, by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, Governor Wike stated that he disagrees with the judgment, hence his decision to exhaust his constitutional right by challenging the Appeal Court judgment at the Supreme Court.
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.