Politics
Rivers Protest: Tonye Cole Accuses INEC Of Suspicious Behavior In Tribunal Case
On Friday, a group of influential members from the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State marched to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Port Harcourt to demonstrate against the electoral body’s persistent denial of their access to the Certified True Copies of the documents utilized during the recently concluded elections.
The protesters claimed that INEC was intentionally obstructing their attempts to bring their case before the Election Petitions Tribunal, and highlighted that they only have a limited window of 21 days to submit their petitions.
Tonye Cole, the All Progressives Congress’ governorship candidate in the March 18 election, along with his running mate Dr. Innocent Barikor, state APC Chairman Emeka Beke, and State Publicity Secretary Darlington Nwauju, led the protest at the commission’s office on Aba Road, Port Harcourt.
Cole spoke with reporters at the location, stating that they had gathered there to voice their dissatisfaction with the conduct of the state INEC.
He mentioned that some of the party’s House of Assembly candidates had their declaration forms stamped on the same day as the election, which was March 18th.
He said, “I am not happy at all. We have come to INEC to express our deep frustration at what is going on. Essentially, we are time bound. We have 21 days from the time that the election results were declared, to file our petitions.
“Two weeks have gone, since we wrote to INEC. We requested from INEC to release CTC documents, but nothing was done.
“They have not released one single CTC document. And we have to prepare a brief, we have to go to Court. We have to prepare for Tribunals,” he disclosed.
Cole insisted that INEC had disregarded a court order obtained by the party that required the commission to release the documents, allowing the party to move forward with their case at the Tribunal. He described the commission’s behavior as “suspicious.”
“We have got court orders. They have been ignored. It tells me that something is going on. I believe that at this point in time, the onus is on INEC, as an independent election administrator, to be fair.
“Give us what we need, so that, we can go to court. Let us go to the tribunal and present a case. But if you release documents to us a day before the tribunal, what do we do?” Cole added.
He however disclosed he had spoken with the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, adding, “He has promised that by Monday, something will happen. So, we will be back on Monday.”
Despite the ongoing situation, Cole continued to stand by his claim that there were several irregularities in the March 18th election, specifically pointing to the Asari-Toru area as a clear example where the election results were significantly altered.
He noted, “The DG was at the collation centre, he made a protest against it. It was still accepted. Having been accepted, then, give us the document, let us review what happened. Nobody is answering us. I am very suspicious.”
The state APC Legal Adviser, Dike Iheanyichukwu, who spoke at the protest, claimed that the state INEC may have been compromised.
Iheanyichukwu further threatened that if their demands were not met, the party would shut down the commission’s office on Monday.
He said, “We have made applications, asking INEC, Rivers State, to oblige us of CTC of EC8A, EC8B, EC8C, EC8D and other related EC series, as concerned elections.
“As I speak to you, INEC has not been able to give us a single document. And what we are talking about is going to the tribunal to seek redress. So, what INEC is doing is intentional. I have here a court order compelling INEC to allow us inspect documents, for them to give us a CTC. This order has been duly served on INEC. They have decided to disobey the law.
Iheanyichukwu also revealed that only a few days ago, some Electoral Officers were summoned to the INEC office to review the results they had submitted. The party’s legal adviser questioned why INEC was reluctant to release the National Assembly EC8A document.
He said, “The INEC national chairman should hear this. All security agencies should hear this. INEC should give us what we want, because it is our right to file our petition and we must do so.
“If they don’t do that, by Monday, we will barricade this place. No worker will enter here. They should be ready to kill all of us,” Iheanyichukwu declared.
The United Kingdom’s (UK) Electronic Travel Authorisation Scheme (ETAS) for visitors from many additional countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, became operative on Wednesday.
It was gathered that the system comes with the objective of tightening border security would allow eligible travellers to enter Britain with pre-travel authorization.
The cost implication of the ETAS, according to the AFP would be £10 per head and permits stays of up to six months within two years.
The initiative was first introduced in 2023, beginning with Qatar.
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In 2024, it was expanded to include five Gulf countries but would now be covering citizens from approximately 50 more nations, including Argentina, Brazil, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and several Caribbean territories.
It was gathered that travellers required to use the system can apply via an app. The applications for the newly added countries opened last November.
By April, the scheme is expected to extend to European Union (EU), countries and other territories. From March 5, travellers in these regions can begin applying for ETAS.
The system applies to visitors transiting through the UK, as well as to children and infants.
However, British and Irish citizens, residents, and those holding passports from British-overseas territories are exempt.
In addition, it does not alter requirements for countries that already require a visa for UK entry, such as China and South Africa.
However, London’s Heathrow Airport had opposed the scheme, on the grounds that its rollout already reduced the number of passengers transiting through the UK, a clear indication that the policy made the country “less competitive” and harmful to economic growth.
This development parallels Europe’s forthcoming ETIAS system, which is expected to begin later this year.
The EU’s version will cover visa-exempt nationals travelling to 30 countries, including the UK, and will cost seven euros for three years of access.
According to government data, the US, Canada, and Australia collectively account for around six million visitors to the UK annually.
The UK government views the ETAS as a crucial step in strengthening its border security measures.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has called on party members in Kano State to prioritize unity as they prepare to reclaim political control from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Speaking at the 8th and 9th APC Members Kano State House of Assembly Forum dinner on Monday, Ganduje, represented by the APC Chairman in Kano, Abdullahi Abbas, urged members to focus on collaboration to achieve their political ambitions.
Highlighting the importance of solidarity, Ganduje stated, “Unity is the only way forward for us; it’s our only option to achieve our goals. God has already intervened in our situation.
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“The current government is distorting the state; we are just waiting for the right time. The next election will be like shifting a hen from its eggs.”
He also criticised NNPP leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso, downplaying his influence in Kano politics.
“I am always surprised when Rabiu Kwankwaso claims he has the people’s support. I swear to God, if not for the issues that caused some of us to leave, he wouldn’t have won any election in the state. This time, he will see. Those who supported him are already disappointed and regretful.”
Ganduje expressed confidence in the APC’s ability to reclaim the state, adding, “I assure you, we are done with Kwankwasiyya. Even the governor is unaware of all that is happening.”
Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Ata, also stressed the need for party cohesion, assuring members of the APC’s strong position.
“What we need in Kano now is unity. The issue of the election is not a concern. If elections were held today, we would have no reason to fear. The loss we experienced was God’s will. Let us pray and work together in unity,” Ata said.
Criticising the NNPP-led administration, Ata noted, “We must strive to reclaim Kano because the state is not in the right hands. Nobody is benefiting from the leadership. I appreciate the president for prioritising Kano. For example, when other states received 250 housing units, Kano received 500 units.”
The Chairman of the Forum, Abdul’azeez Gafasa, commended the honorees for their service to the APC and reiterated the importance of party unity.
“Our leaders have worked hard to bring us together,” he said, pledging the forum’s commitment to progress and mutual support.
The event, which celebrated notable APC members, including former House Speakers Rt. Hon. Kabiru Rurum, Rt. Hon. Hamisu Chidari, and Rt. Hon. Yusuf Atta, underscored the party’s resolve to reclaim Kano in the next elections.
Edo State’s local government councils have been plunged into chaos, with three chairmen facing impeachment proceedings amid accusations of violence, unconstitutional actions, and political interference.
The affected councils — Uhunmwonde, Orhionmwon, and Owan East — are witnessing escalating tensions that threaten governance and stability.
In Uhunmwonde Local Government Area, tensions escalated on Tuesday when gunmen allegedly attacked bystanders, leaving several injured.
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The council chairman, Kenneth Adodo, accused the attackers of being policemen sent from the Edo State Government House.
“The people who came to shoot were policemen from the Government House,” Adodo alleged.
The incident followed moves by councillors to impeach the local government leadership, intensifying concerns about safety and order in the area.
Leadership Dispute in Orhionmwon
In Orhionmwon Local Government Area, councillors impeached the Leader of the House, Hon. Daniel Osariemen, on Wednesday, replacing him with Hon. Chuks Isan.
The impeachment was reportedly an attempt to preempt a suspected plot by Osariemen to oust the council chairman, Hon. Newman Ugiagbe, and his deputy, Midwest Ogbebor.
Osariemen later led a group of unidentified individuals to seize the council secretariat in Abudu, where he declared himself acting chairman.
Ugiagbe, in a statement issued by his press secretary, Roy Osariemen, dismissed the action as illegal.
“The action in Abudu is illegal. I remain the chairman of the Orhionmwon Local Government Area,” Ugiagbe asserted.
In Owan East, Chairman Prince Aminu Okodo-Kadiri has described his impeachment as unconstitutional and vowed to challenge the process in court.
Addressing journalists in Benin City on Thursday, Okodo-Kadiri outlined several irregularities, including the absence of a seven-member investigative panel as mandated by the Edo State Local Government Law of 2000 (amended in 2002).
He also alleged that the councillors used an unofficial mace during the impeachment and that two of the councillors who participated had been suspended for gross misconduct.
“The process violated the provisions of the law,” Okodo-Kadiri said. “The governor alleged that council chairmen embezzled ₦50 million meant for salaries, but this claim lacks merit. Monthly salary expenditures far exceed ₦50 million, and salaries were paid up to November. If funds were misappropriated, where is the proof? Our bank records are clear, and no salaries are owed.”
Okodo-Kadiri further criticized the lack of due process in reinstating the suspended councillors. “Their participation rendered the proceedings invalid. My office was never notified of their reinstatement,” he added.
The embattled chairman vowed to seek redress through the judiciary. “I trust the courts to restore justice and uphold the rule of law,” he said.
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