Cole Files Petition Against Rivers Guber Outcome

By Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt  10 April 2023   |   5:35 am Lawyer to All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Godwill Dike, has confirmed that the party has filed complaint before the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Port Harcourt regarding the March 18, 2023 governorship poll. Tonye Cole Lawyer to All Progressives Congress  (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Godwill Dike, has confirmed that the party has filed complaint before the Election  Petitions Tribunal sitting in Port Harcourt regarding the March 18, 2023 governorship poll.     He explained that following “difficulties” in accessing the Certified True Copies (CTCs) of materials used in conducting the election, APC used the online copies to file its petition.     Recall that supporters of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state had laid siege to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office along Aba Road since last Monday last week, protesting that all parties interested in filing petitions against the poll must jointly inspect the materials.    The situation led to a clash between PDP sympathisers and APC officials, including the party’s governorship candidate, Tonye Cole, who was attacked by suspected thugs.    Cole had vowed to challenge outcome of the exercise, saying it was a rape on democracy. He claimed that voters were intimidated, harassed and suppressed.    INEC declared the PDP candidate, Siminialayi Fubara, winner, saying he polled 302,614 votes to defeat APC’s Cole, credited with 95,274 ballots. The SDP flag-bearer, Senator Magnus Abe, came a distant third with 46,981 votes.   Dike continued: “Just like I hinted you, those documents are also online. So, the party could still explore the option of getting online soft copies of the documents for its petitions.   “They are public documents. We can as well reapply and pay for the CTCs, and the authorities will issue us the true certified copies of the election materials, but at the moment, we filed with the online copies.”   25 mins ago The All Progressives Congress (APC) has prayed the Presidential Election Petitions Court (PEPC) in Abuja to dismiss petitions filed by three opposition parties challenging the victory of its presidential candidate, Sen. Bola Tinubu, in the Feb. 25 election. 46 mins ago Sen. Obinna Ogba (PDP–Ebonyi Central) said on Sunday that the party deservedly lost the 2023 general elections because of mismanagement of affairs by its National Working Committee (NWC). 1 hour ago Delta Government has denied reports that it deported a female alms beggar, allegedly constituting nuisance in Asaba, the capital city. 2 hours ago Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar on Sunday mourned the demise of former judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague, Prince Bola Ajibola. 3 hours ago Lawyer to All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Godwill Dike, has confirmed that the party has filed complaint before the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Port Harcourt regarding the March 18, 2023 governorship poll.

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