Tonye Cole Challenges Election Tribunal Judgment in Rivers State

The three man panel of the tribunal had in their judgment, dismissed the petition of Tonye-Cole for lacking in merits on the grounds that he lacked the power to independently challenge the victory of Governor Fubara without the backing of his political party amongst others grounds.

The State Publicity Secretary of APC, Darlington Nwauju in an interview with Today FM’s Uchendu Ejiowhor confirmed that Tonye-Cole has entered and transmitted records to the Appeal Court.

Nwauju expressed optimism that the Appeal Court will do justice to save Rivers State.Meanwhile, the Rivers State Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Solsuema Osaro has accused the Rivers State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Desmond Akawor of parading himself as the state chairman of IPAC, despite he and his executives have been dissolved by the national.

Osaro, who is also the state Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, said the executives of IPAC in Rivers State, headed by Akawor was dissolved on March 10, 2023, following their adoption of a particular governorship candidate for the March 18, 2023 governorship election.

The IPAC Chairman in an interview with Today FM’s Ifunanya Obeme-Ndukwe, noted that the action by AKAWOR and his executives goes against the IPAC code of conduct, which he said was met with a consequence.

Osaro’s comment follows Akawor’s recent visit to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, in the capacity of the state IPAC Chairman.

Speaking on Akawor’s recent visit to RSIEC in the capacity of Rivers State IPAC chairman, Osaro said such action is aimed at causing violence in the state.

The IPAC chairman said the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies have been communicated about the change of leadership, while Akawor’s recent visit to RSIEC as the IPAC chairman has been communicated to the security agencies.

Today FM cited the letter that dissolved Akawor’s led executives of IPAC in the state, and a letter of confirmation to INEC by the national leadership of IPAC, that OSARO is the new state chairman of IPAC.

The state chairman of PDP, Akawor is yet to respond to calls and messages from Today FM.