The Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal, seated in Abuja, has deferred its judgment in the petition submitted by Tonye Cole, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the March 18 governorship election in Rivers State. Cole is challenging the victory of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Cletus Emifonye, postponed the matter for judgment after both sides presented their final written addresses and argued their positions regarding the petition.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Governor Fubara secured 302,614 votes to win the election, while Mr. Cole received 95,274 votes, and Beatrice Itubo of the Labour Party (LP) garnered 22,224 votes, securing the third position.
In the aftermath of the tribunal’s sitting on Wednesday, Tuduru Ede, SAN, Mr. Cole’s lead counsel, disclosed that approximately 40 witnesses were called, and nearly 1,000 exhibits were presented. Ede highlighted their primary argument, which revolved around the contention that Fubara, as of the election date, was not qualified to run for office as he had not resigned from his positions as accountant-general and permanent secretary in Rivers State. He expressed their anticipation of the tribunal’s judgment.
Tonye Cole, present at the tribunal, expressed his trust in both the tribunal and divine justice, stating his determination to reclaim the “stolen mandate.” He urged the people of Rivers State to remain patient and assured them that they would exhaust all avenues to seek justice.
Nyesom Wike, Fubara’s predecessor and the current Minister of Federal Capital Territory, was also in attendance but declined to comment, directing reporters to speak with lawyers involved in the case.
Efforts to obtain statements from INEC’s counsel, Kanu Agabi, SAN, and Governor Fubara’s counsel, Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, were unsuccessful, while the PDP’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, was unavailable for comment.
Notably, Tonye Cole is the petitioner in this case, while INEC, Governor Fubara, and the PDP are the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respondents, respectively. The tribunal had previously reserved judgment in the petition filed by the Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate against Fubara’s victory on September 7.
