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.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dan Ulasi, has warned that the party stands little chance of defeating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections if Nyesom Wike continues to play a leading role while allegedly supporting the ruling government.
Ulasi, who spoke during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday, expressed deep concern over what he described as a “contradictory situation” within the PDP, stressing that such internal inconsistencies could weaken the party’s credibility and chances at the polls.
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“I don’t see my party as presently constituted challenging Tinubu with Wike as national leader,” Ulasi said, warning that he may be forced to leave the party if the issue is not addressed.
The PDP stalwart argued that Wike cannot effectively serve as a leader in the opposition while maintaining close ties with President Tinubu, describing the situation as “unconstructive” for a party seeking to reclaim power at the national level.
He further questioned what role Wike would play if another candidate emerges as the PDP’s presidential flag-bearer ahead of the 2027 election, asking whether the former Rivers State governor would actively participate in party rallies or align with the ruling party’s activities.
Ulasi warned that the party’s next meeting could be his last if its leadership fails to provide satisfactory explanations, insisting that he cannot continue to be part of a process riddled with contradictions.
In a related development, Ulasi revealed that Peter Obi had visited him several times this year, including a recent meeting following an appearance in Enugu.
He spoke positively about Obi’s vision for Nigeria, noting that the former presidential candidate offers a sense of hope for the country’s future, although he stopped short of declaring any political alignment.
Reflecting on his longstanding ties to the PDP, Ulasi recalled his role during the party’s formation alongside late former Vice-President Alex Ekueme and other founding members.
Despite his deep connection to the party, he maintained that he would rather step aside than remain in a system he considers inconsistent.
He added that if he eventually exits the PDP, he has no plans to join another political party, stating that he would instead operate as a private consultant.
There was tension within the Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday after former Governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, alleged that he was barred from attending a stakeholders’ meeting of the party held in Ijebu Ode.
The meeting, which took place at Adeola Odutola Hall, was reportedly convened to bring together key party stakeholders, including current and former local government chairmen, councillors, and serving as well as former lawmakers from both state and national levels.
However, the senator, in a viral video circulating online, claimed he was denied entry into the venue despite being part of the expected attendees.
ALSO READ: “APC Failure in Disguise?” — Dickson Tears Into ADC Coalition
Speaking from his branded campaign bus parked at the venue, Daniel expressed disappointment over the situation, saying he and his team were stopped from accessing the meeting.
He further questioned the legitimacy of any resolutions reached at the gathering, suggesting that the outcome of the meeting should not be considered valid.
As of press time, the Ogun State APC leadership had yet to issue an official response to the allegation.
The lingering leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is set for a crucial legal test as the Supreme Court of Nigeria prepares to hear an appeal filed by former Senate President, David Mark.
Mark is challenging a legal action brought by a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Nafiu Bala, over the control and leadership structure of the ADC.
The case, scheduled for hearing on Tuesday, is expected to determine the direction of the party amid deepening internal divisions.
SEE MORE: 2027: Why ADC, Opposition Leaders Stormed INEC in Abuja
Through his lawyer, Realwan Okpanachi, Mark is seeking an order to stay the execution of a Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12, pending the final resolution of the matter.
He also urged the apex court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from making any alterations to the party’s leadership as currently constituted under his faction.
In addition, Mark is asking the court to suspend further proceedings in a related suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite.
The dispute dates back to a September 4, 2025 ruling by the Federal High Court following an ex parte application filed by Bala, which has since fueled competing claims to the party’s leadership.
The ADC has, in recent months, been embroiled in a bitter factional crisis, with rival camps asserting legitimacy.
The situation has been worsened by conflicting court orders and administrative uncertainty surrounding who truly leads the party.
Tensions escalated after INEC reportedly removed Mark as the party’s national chairman from its official records, sparking protests by his loyalists.
The demonstration drew prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
In response, the Bala-led faction staged a counter-protest, insisting on recognition by INEC as the legitimate leadership of the party.
As the battle shifts to the Supreme Court, political observers say the outcome could decisively shape the future of the ADC, particularly as political alignments begin to take form ahead of upcoming elections.
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