Chukwuemeka Njokumgbachi, Abuja
The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Tuesday dismissed an appeal filed by the All Progressives Congress, challenging it’s exclusion from participating in the forthcoming general elections in Rivers state. Ruling on a preliminary objection raised by the respondents, Ibrahim Umar and 22 other aggrieved members of APC, Justice Aliyu Sanusi, in a lead judgement said, there was substance in the objection raised by the respondent. Consequently, the preliminary objection having been upheld, “the appeal is struck out”.Justice Sanusi stated that reasons for striking out the appeal would be given on a date to be announced to parties. In a unanimous decision, the 5-man apex panel led by Justice Bode Rhodes Vivour, held that the judgement in APC’s appeal stands for two other appeals filed by various interests challenging the exclusion of APC, and it’s candidates from participating in the general elections. By the decision of the apex court, the ambition of Tonye Cole to contest the gubernatorial election in Rivers state has been dealt a fatal blow. Details later…..
