Tonye Cole, the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2023 governorship candidate in Rivers State, has reassured his supporters that he remains committed to pursuing his petition challenging the outcome of the March 18 election until justice is served.
PulseNets reports that in a statement posted on his social media accounts on Monday night, Cole addressed the rumours circulating about the withdrawal of the APC from the petition challenging the victory of Similiayi Fubara, the Peoples Democratic Party’s governor-elect in Rivers State.
Cole stated, “I want to formally denounce the false rumours surrounding our petition against the results of the Rivers State governorship election. I assure you that our petition stands strong and unwavering, and we will not be swayed in our pursuit of justice.”
He continued, “Despite attempts to undermine our efforts, I want to emphasise that we are tirelessly working to ensure our voices are heard. We remain undeterred and resolute in our fight for what is right until justice is served.”
However, Joe Korka-Waadah, a chieftain of the Rivers APC, accused the Rivers PDP of influencing the reported withdrawal of the APC from the petition challenging Fubara’s victory.
Korka-Waadah alleged, “What more is the Rivers PDP willing to do in order to distract the APC from the case of a stolen mandate before the tribunal? Why are they scared if they have a strong case?”
He advised the people of Rivers State to ignore these deliberate tactics, stating, “Rivers APC is in court, and Pastor Tonye Cole is determined and standing tall in his quest to reclaim the mandate given to him by the people of Rivers in that election. Do not be deceived. We will not waver, and we will reclaim our stolen mandate.”
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In response, Ogbonna Nwuke, a PDP chieftain and former member of the House of Representatives, dismissed Cole’s claims, stating, “No amount of blackmail or baseless claims can change the fact that Fubara won fair and square. Cole will blame the PDP for anything as a sore loser. Cole and his confused group requested that the tribunal be moved to Abuja. Now that they are in Abuja and have abandoned the case, he still blames the PDP. People should know when to end a fruitless chase.”
