Rivers APC asks INEC to postpone elections

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone elections in the state.

INEC had disqualified the APC from contesting the election over the crisis which affected its primaries.

There are two factions of the party in the state. One led by Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation while Magnus Abe, a serving senator, leads the other faction.

Tonye Princewill, director of strategic communications for the campaign of Tonye Cole, guber candidate of the Amaechi factio, said conducting the election without the APC will be “an exercise in futility”.

He said giving the APC candidates an extension of time to go about their campaigns is necessary because of the “disruption by legal tussle”.

“Of course we are not yet on the ballot, it’s a process. INEC by now has received the first order and in another day or so, will receive the second one,” he said.

“Then their lawyers will advise them and at a meeting of the powers that be, a decision will be taken.

“That decision will be to obey the law. We expect nothing less. If they don’t, then it will be lawful to be lawless in a lawless society. There will be no elections in Rivers state. We knew Wike had penetrated the judiciary, every day the signs are revealed.

“We know he has also penetrated some of our security agencies, but we do not want to believe he has penetrated our electoral body at the highest levels. We are soon about to find out. Let us be patient. These things take time. Our money, that he is using, will be traced to its last hiding place when he leaves office. We know a lot about who he is working with. Money leaves a trace. And in this government, corruption will always come with consequences.”

The statement said having gone round the state, Cole deserves to be elected on March 2.

It added that Nyesom Wike, governor of the state, was taking advantage of the crisis in the APC in Rivers.

“Our candidate, Tonye Cole, has gone from ward to ward in every LGA and had done 236 wards out of 319 before a judge. Magnus and Wike stopped him using the law,” the statement read.

“Magnus is not our focus. He is our lost brother whom we wish well. His room is there, if he returns. Our focus is Wike and nothing will distract us from demystifying his perceived grassroots’ appeal, his supposed strong man status and his recent Mungo park-like discovery of Spirituality.

“Tonye Cole and others must be allowed to finish their campaigns. Anything short of that cannot be just and we will contest it. INEC should get ready for the Presidential elections, but State House of Assembly, National Assembly and the Governorship elections must be a separate exercise set aside for a special date.

“All eyes are now on INEC as the fate of Rivers state now hangs in their balance. Will Wike be given a free ride back into Government house or will the never say die attitude of Tonye Cole emerge from the ashes of court judgements? Very soon, all will be revealed.”