Labor Party rejects judgment of governorship tribunal in Rivers, proceeds to Appeal Court

The Rivers State Labor Party claims it was not taken aback by the Abuja-seated Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal’s decision upholding the election of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Gogo Wellington, the party’s publicity secretary in Rivers, stated in an interview with Today FM that the party plans to appeal the Independent National Electoral Commission’s declaration of Governor Fubara’s victory.

The Labor Party still has a case to make at the Court of Appeal, according to Wellington, because there is sufficient evidence to show that the election was plagued by violence and irregularities.

“We wouldn’t say we are surprised with the ruling of the Election Petition Tribunal but we would say we are disappointed that all the facts and evidence produced in support of our case, the Petition Tribunal still decided that we failed to prove our case.

“We are still very confident that we have a case to prove that the election in Rivers State was marred by all forms of violence and malpractices. And that is unbecoming of any electoral conduct in the 21st century.

“Therefore we feel we have a very strong case to prove.

“To this end, we are proceeding to the Appeal Court to further challenge the elections that were held in Rivers State, as lacking in all the virtues that are supposed to produce a governor for a state like Rivers State.

“We are also challenging the qualification of Siminalayi Fubara to contest the gubernatorial election in Rivers State.” He added.

The challenges filed by all other political parties contesting Governor Fubara’s election were dismissed by the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal, which was sitting in Abuja on Monday.