FEATURED
JUST IN! Cole’s Candidature Hits Brick Wall As Court Restrains INEC From Accepting Him, Others
The candidature of Tonye Cole, the Rivers State factional APC governorship candidate has suffered a major setback as a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on Monday restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising him or any candidates of the party for the 2019 General elections in Rivers State .
BigPen Online learnt that that court also nullified all nominations of the APC in Rivers State for the forthcoming elections in 2019.
The court ruled specifically that the APC cannot participate in the Governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly elections during the 2019 polls in Rivers State.
Justice Kolawole Omotosho in his judgment in the suit filed by Senator Magnus Abe and others versus Rivers APC and others declared the APC for failing to respect the law must bear the consequences of her disobedience of the law.
Justice Omotosho stated that the Direct and indirect primaries of the Rivers State APC are illegal, null and void.
The court further declared that both the Direct and indirect primaries were held during the pendancy of the suit at the Rivers State High Court.
According to the court, the APC conducted the indirect primaries in gross disrespect of the pending suit before Justice Chinwendu Nwogu of the Rivers State High Court.
He noted that the judgment of Justice Chinwendu Nwogu nullifying the primaries of the APC in Rivers State is yet to be set aside by an appellate court, hence it remains valid.
The court, therefore held that the names sent by the Amaechi faction and the National Working Committee of the APC to INEC for the 2019 General elections were illegal and should be disregarded .
He posited that the Direct primaries conducted by the Senator Magnus Abe faction were illegal because the National Working Committee of APC did not monitor or participate in the processes.
Justice Omotosho added that Justice Chinwendu Nwogu was clear when he nullified all primaries and congresses held during the pendancy of the suit, which included the Direct primaries conducted by the Abe faction.
He said that both the Senator Magnus Abe and the Amaechi factions have no leg to stand in view of the judgment, hence both factions are disqualified from participating in the elections.
The court held that the APC in Rivers State has no power to nominate and sponsor any candidates for the 2019 General elections.
Vanguard had reported that Justice Omotosho condemned the invasion of the Rivers State High Court during the hearing of the suit, saying that actions must be taken to check the excesses of persons interested in destroying the rule of law.
2027 Presidency: Court Orders Atiku to Serve Tinubu Forgery Suit Within 7 Days
Veteran Nollywood Actor Olu Jacobs Dies at 84, Family Announces
2027: ‘I’m Answerable to Tinubu Only and Not Politically Lazy Governors’ – Wike Blows Hot
2027: APC Governors, Wike Clash Over ‘Rainbow Coalition’
Dear Dangote, Before Asking Nigerians to Invest, Make Things Cheaper
Opinion: A Mighty General Has Returned Home – Tribute to Fr. Anthony Mario Ozele
Renowned Catholic Priest Fr. Anthony Mario Ozele Dies at 60
Rainbow Coalition: Wike, APC Governors Backing Tinubu in Different Ways — Fayose
Police Raise Security Alert Over Planned Terror Attacks on Schools, Churches, NYSC Camps
Delta Police Dismantle Shrine Used by Suspected Criminals for Fortification in Ndokwa West
Two Shot Dead by Bandits While Inspecting Land in Imo
Photo: Desmond Elliot Kneels to Tinubu’s CoS Gbajabiamila, Apologises Over Surulere APC Primary Loss
Plateau Attacks: 13 Killed as Gunmen Open Fire on Passengers, Communities
Dangote Refinery N2.15tn IPO on NGX: What to Know About NGX Listing in 2026
