The Appeal Court has thrown out the appeal filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenging the decision of the tribunal which upheld the election of Governor Ayo Fayose in Ekiti State.

The court yesterday held that the appeal could not prove beyond reasonable doubts, allegations of forgery against the Governor. It said that they also did not prove how they were disenfranchised in the polls. To this end, there was no merit in the appeal and it was struck out, the court ruled. It however, took a swipe at the government for deploying men of the Armed Forces during the polls.

According to the Appeal Court, the law does not make provision for the deployment of Armed Forces for election, except within their barracks during the conduct of the polls.

Deploying military for the election, the court said, would only militarise the nation’s democracy.

In a two hour judgement delivered by a full panel of the Court of Appeal, headed by Justice Abdul Aboki, the court held that the appellants did not prove beyond reasonable doubt that the certificate of the the Governor, issued by The Polytechnic Ibadan, was forged.

According to the Appeal Court, the APC failed to provide evidence before the court to back its claims.

The court also ruled that even though the impeachment of the Governor in 2006 was valid, it cannot constitute a ground for disqualification.

•Text courtesy of Channels TV. Photo shows Governor Fayose.