Police invite Tonye Cole over APC, PDP members’ clash in Rivers

The Rivers police command says it has invited Tonye Cole, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), over an alleged death recorded during a clash between members of his party and those of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). 

TheCable had reported that supporters of the APC and PDP on Monday, clashed in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office. 

Cole had arrived at the INEC office to inspect materials used for the election that was held on March 18 when the clash occurred.

Speaking with Channels TV on Wednesday, Okon Effiong, the state police commissioner, said the APC candidate, his aides, and other members of the PDP were invited following the allegation that someone was shot dead during the brawl.  

“Tonye Cole was asked to come with his aides who are policemen because the allegation against him is that his aides shot and killed somebody,” Effiong said. 

“On the other side, the chairman of Ikwerre local government, the deputy speaker of the house of assembly, and the chairman of PHALGA were invited to come and equally help the police with an investigation. 

“We’re investigating, the allegation is that two people were shot and one person was killed but we’re now insisting that they should show us the corpse of the person who died and until that is done, we cannot confirm any death.

“We’ve been able to see the person who was injured and it’s a bullet wound on the leg.”

After the election, Siminialayi Fubara, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was declared the winner.

Fubara polled 302,614 votes to defeat the APC candidate who secured 95,274 votes.

However, Cole said he would challenge the outcome of the election, and asked to inspect the INEC electoral materials.

He said the inspection would enable him and his party to file a petition against the election at the tribunal.