Wike rejects Appeal Court judgment, heads to Supreme Court

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State on Wednesday said he disagreed with the Court of Appeal’s decision on his election and has instructed his lawyers to appeal the judgement at the Supreme Court.
Wike’s position was contained in a statement by Simeon Nwakaudu, the Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media.
The Court of Appeal on Wednesday upheld the judgment of Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal that nullified the April 11 governorship election in the state and ordered a fresh poll.
According to the statement, the governor disagrees with the judgment, hence his decision to exhaust his constitutional right by challenging the Appeal Court judgment at the Supreme Court.
The statement, however, said Wike called on all his supporters and the people of state to remain calm as justice would be done at the end of day.
It said: “Wike assured the people of the state that he would use all constitutional processes to protect the mandate they freely bestowed on him which informed his decision to approach the Supreme Court for further adjudication.
“The governor said that he still remained the duly elected governor of Rivers State pending the determination of his appeal by the Supreme Court.”
Wike gave assurance that all ongoing development projects in the state would continue and that his administration would continue to promote the security of lives and property..
Reacting to the verdict, Chief Austin Opara, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, supported Wike position.
According to Opara, the Court of Appeal judgement is against the mandate of Rivers State people.
NAN.