Tribunal reserves judgment in Tonye Cole’s petition challenging Fubara’s election

The Rivers state election petitions tribunal has reserved judgment in the suit filed by Tonye Cole, challenging the outcome of the governorship poll in the state.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Siminalayi Fubara, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), secured 302,614 votes to win the election.

Cole, the flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who came second, polled 95,274 votes.

Not satisfied with the results, the APC candidate filed a petition before the tribunal.

Among several issues raised, the petitioner is contending that Fubara was not qualified to contest the election.

At the court session on Wednesday,  parties in the suit adopted their final written addresses after which the three-member panel of the tribunal, headed by Cletus Emifonye, adjourned the matter for judgment.

Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, Tuduru Ede, lead counsel to Cole, said about 40 witnesses were called and exhibits running into a thousand were tendered in the course of the case.

“The main plank of our case is that the second respondent (Fubara), as at the time of the election, was not qualified to run,” he said.

“He didn’t resign from his post as accountant-general and permanent secretary in Rivers state.

“We led evidence to that effect and we await the judgment of the tribunal,” he said.

Also addressing the press, Cole said justice would be done.

“First of all, I am extremely grateful to the team of lawyers that stood their ground, refused to be intimidated, put very accurate facts forward,” he said.

“I am very satisfied with what has been presented today as our final address.

“And I am trusting the tribunal and trusting my Lord, God Almighty, that justice will be done.

“We know exactly what happened at the election day but that is very different from what we are doing in court.

“What we are here to do in court is to ensure that we secure the mandate that was taken off us in March and I just want to assure everybody in Rivers that we will do everything within our power to ensure that justice is done.

“We have presented the case, we are just waiting for the result. The judgment is just a few weeks away. So let’s be patient, stand firm, we are fighting this all the way to the end.”