The All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Rivers State, Tonye Cole, has denied reports that he withdrew the petition he filed to nullify the declaration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Sim Fubara, as winner of the March 18 governorship election in Rivers State.
The Rivers state election petition tribunal had reportedly struck out the petition filed by the All Progressive Congress, APC, following the withdrawal by its counsel.
The petition was on Monday withdrawn because of the pact between outgoing state governor, Nyesom Wike, and the “president-elect” Bola Tinubu, according to top party sources.
However, Cole in statement posted on its verified Twitter handle on Tuesday, said he was committed to pursuing his petition while challenging the outcome of the 2023 governorship election.
He added that he would continue to pursue his petition until he got justice.
Tweeting, Cole wrote: “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.
“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.”
At least nine candidates that participated in the March 18 governorship election in Rivers State had filed a petition at the tribunal challenging the outcome of the March 18 polls.
INEC had declared candidate of the PDP, Sim Fubara, who scored 302,614 votes as winner of the election, but opposition parties were not satisfied with the outcome of the polls.
Those who have filed a petition at the tribunal are: Beatrice Itubo (Labour Party), Tekena Iyagba (Boot Party), Innocent Ekwu (APM), Etete Sobere (PRP), Gabriel Gborogbosi (Action Alliance), Magnus Abe (SDP), Pastor Tonye Cole (APC) and Dumo Lulu Briggs (Accord Party).
However, at the tribunal on Monday, the Rivers state election petition tribunal struck out the petition filed by the All Progressive Congress, APC, following the withdrawal by its counsel.
