Appeal Court strikes out Fingesi’s appeal against Wike’s re-election

The Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt has upheld the re-election of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.

The Court also struck out the appeal filed by the Governorship Candidate of Action Democratic Party (ADP), Mr Victor Fingesi.

Mr Victor Fingesi had approached the Court of Appeal after the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal on October 5, 2019, dismissed his petition challenging the re-election of Governor Wike, PDP Governorship Candidate in the 2019 gubernatorial Election.

The Court of Appeal in a unanimous judgment struck out the Appeal by Mr Victor Fingesi of ADP for lacking in merit.

The Tribunal also said that the appeal was incompetent.

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Justice H.N Ogunwimiji who delivered the lead judgement declared that the ADP Governorship Candidate failed to prove that the election was marred by irregularities.

Justice Ogunwimiji stated that the ADP Governorship Candidate couldn’t adduce evidence that would invalidate the elections of Governor Wike.

The Court of Appeal stated that anyone who asserts must lead relevant evidence to prove such allegations.

The Court also declared that INEC has the power to take action on elections when emergencies arise. The Appeal Court said that INEC derived such powers from Section 26 (1) of the Electoral Act.

The Court of Appeal also held that the petitioner lacked the locus standi to file the petition as earlier ruled by the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal.