Nigeria Gubernatorial Elections 2015: Supreme Court Sacks APC Lawsuit Against Ayo Fayose

The Nigerian Supreme Court sacked a lawsuit by the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday challenging the 2014 election of Ekiti state governor Ayo Fayose. The governor is still facing an attempt by APC lawmakers to impeach him, which has fueled violent protests in the southwest state, the Premium Times in Nigeria reported.

The APC legally sought to nullify the 2014 gubernatorial polls in Ekiti state after their candidate, Kayode Fayemi, lost to Fayose, a member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Officials of the opposition party argued Fayose was not eligible to run in the election because the governor was impeached during his first term in 2006. The APC also claimed Fayose faked his academic credentials and flouted ethical rules. But in a unanimous decision Tuesday, the seven-man panel led by Supreme Court Justice John Fabiyi upheld Fayose’s victory and dismissed the suit for a “lack of merit,” the Premium Times said.

Fayose is no stranger to legal battles with the APC. Nineteen lawmakers of the opposition party have made recent moves to impeach the Ekiti state governor over alleged gross misconduct. But Fayose has insisted a notice was never served, according to Nigerian newspaper the Guardian. The impeachment plot prompted a massive demonstration by PDP supporters in Ekiti state last week, during which one person was killed.

Several PDP lawmakers have promised to remain loyal to Fayose, who they say is the desired leader of the southwest state, Vanguard reported. “I, along with my patriotic colleagues on the side of truth and justice have vowed that we will rather sail or sink with FAyose, whose interest we are ready to defend with the last drop of our blood,” said Dele Olugbemi, the speaker of Ekiti state House of Assembly.