Ime Akpan
Factional governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Mr. Tonye Cole, has expressed hope that the Supreme Court would clear the coast for him to contest in the March 2 governorship election in the state.
It would be recalled that a five-man panel of Supreme Court justices led by Justice Mohammad Dattijo had, on Friday re-affirmed the court’s previous which validated the High Court order that barred APC from conducting primaries in Rivers.
The Supreme Court evoked Section 22 of its Act which allows it to take over a matter and give final judgment to decide on the appeal.
By implication, the APC will not field candidates for the governorship and legislative elections in the state.
Cole, who was reacting to the judgement said his hope had not waned as he was certain that ruling in the substantive suit slated for Monday, February 11 will favour him.
In a statement issued by his campaign Mr. Ogonna Nwuke, spokesman for his organisation, Cole who urged his supporters to remain calm said: “Our attention has been drawn to reports which suggest that Ibrahim Umar and 22 others have secured a final determination at the Supreme Court.
“The facts available to us are that the only issue determined today, Friday, 8th February, 2019 was that of legal representation, which had been in contention.
“Based on the various conflicting headlines being carried, it is critical to state that there are other pending matters, including the substantive appeal, which is yet to be determined by the Supreme Court.
“Our faith in the judiciary remains unshaken. We wish to urge our numerous supporters not to panic, following the deliberate misrepresentation of facts on the social media and elsewhere regarding the outcome of today’s judgement. We shall surely be triumphant in the end.”
Similarly, the Rivers State chapter of the party said in a statement signed by its spokesman, Mr. Chris Finebone, said the Supreme Court ruling did not endanger the Cole’s candidacy.
“The attention of Rivers State chapter of All Progressive Congress has been drawn to a myriad of reports making the rounds on the social media giving conflicting, and in some cases, outright mischievous narratives, misinterpreting and misrepresenting the pronouncement of the Supreme Court today (Friday) on the matter between Ibrahim Umar & 22 others versus Rivers APC.
“The apex court ruled that, in line with provisions of the Constitution of the APC, the chapter’s legal adviser at the time the matter commenced, Mr. Chieme Chinweikpe, rightly represented the party directly or through legal appointees of his instead of Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, who was seconded by the legal department of the national headquarters of the APC.
“This means that the judgment given by Justice Chiwendu Nworgu was a consent judgment following thereto. Irrespective of how we feel about the pronouncement, the Rivers State chapter of the APC has to accept that decision having come from the highest court of the land.
“We are convinced that no harm has been done to the candidacy of our governorship candidate, Pastor Tonye Cole, and the others. We believe that by the grace of God, we shall triumph and ultimately be on the ballot for the 2019 elections.
“We call on the teeming supporters of the APC in Rivers State to remain calm as it will surely end in praise. All candidates of the APC in Rivers State will be on the ballot and go ahead to win come February 16 and March 2, 2019,” he said in a statement.
Also reacting, the national publicity secretary of the party, Mr. Lanre Issa-Onilu, the party’s legal department was looking into the judgement of the Supreme Court.
“It is not the kind of judgement we looked forward to base on the facts that we are aware of. The only option before us now is to review this judgement and see what other means that is legal. We think we deserve to field candidates in Rivers state.
“We know we did the right thing. We had our primaries even though there are issues around it. I don’t know why it appears the APC is the only party that is being subjected to this kind of scrutiny from the electoral body.
“It is the same APC that PDP has continued to raise flags as being the party that wants to rig election and is supposed to be working in cahoots with INEC. If this is the way to work in cahoots with INEC, we need to ask further questions.
“We know what we did in Rivers compared to what PDP did in many of the thirty-six states. PDP shouldn’t field candidates in many states if the same parameters applied by the electoral body are applied to the PDP.
“Our legal department will review the outcome of this as unpalatable as it is and we will be able to say categorically the next step we might be taking and come out with it in due course,” he said.
For his part, the Rivers State governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, teased the party during his electioneering in emohua local government area of the state.
He said the APC was desperate adding that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has no opposition in the coming elections in the state.
“They are now under desperation. If they like they can join any other group, but they will never be in existence. No party is in this state other than the PDP.
However, he said: “Let us not take things for granted; we will make sure that we must do all the needful to protect and defend our votes.”
Wike therefore warned the PDP supporters not to get carried away by the ruling of the Supreme Court.
Commenting on the February 16 presidential election, the governor urged PDP supporters to work hard for the success of their candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
He added that was time for the PDP to reclaim power at the centre and rescue the nation and its people.
“Why are we saying that we must support Atiku Abubakar? Why are we saying that PDP must come back to the Federal Government?
“We are saying so because we are tired of being in darkness. This is a war between darkness and light,” he said.
Also reacting, the national publicity secretary of the PDP said in a statement that commended the Supreme Court describing the ruling as “victory for democracy and the rule of law.”
“The party commends the apex court for its courage in delivering the landmark judgment, which has saved the nation from a serious constitutional crisis that could have marred the 2019 general elections and detract from our overall electoral system.
“The judgment of the Supreme Court serves as a huge lesson to politicians and political parties, to eschew impunity and always conduct their affairs in a manner that is in tandem with the provision of the law.
“The courage displayed by the Supreme Court in delivering the judgment at this critical time in our national life has also restored the confidence of Nigerians in the institution of the Judiciary and our democratic order.
“The PDP however urges its teeming members across the country to continue to work hard in consolidating on the already established victory of our great party in all elections, beginning with next Saturday’s presidential election,” he said.
