The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Tonye Cole, voiced strong reservations about the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) refusal to comply with a court order directing the release of Certified True Copies (CTCs) of documents used in the governorship elections. Describing the INEC’s action as “suspicious,” Cole made his remarks after party members stormed INEC headquarters in Port Harcourt on Friday. The protesters claimed that INEC was deliberately obstructing their ability to approach the elections petitions tribunal, noting that they have only 21 days to file their petitions. Cole was accompanied by his running mate, Dr Innocent Barikor, the state APC chairman Emeka Beke, and the publicity secretary Darlington Nwauju.
Speaking to journalists, Cole said, “I am not happy at all. We have come to INEC to express our deep frustration about what is going on. Essentially, we are time‑bound. We have 21 days from the time the elections were declared to file our petitions.” He added that for House of Assembly candidates seeking to challenge the results, two weeks had already passed and INEC had still not made the necessary materials available. “They have not released a single CTC document and we have to prepare a brief for the tribunal,” he said. Cole emphasized that court orders had been ignored, suggesting that “something is going on” and that INEC, as an independent election administrator, must act fairly. He concluded, “I am very suspicious.” However, after speaking with the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Cole reported that he had been promised action on Monday, and the party would return then.
The state APC Legal Adviser, Dike Iheanhichukwu, warned that the party would shut down the commission’s office on Monday if its demands were not met. He explained that the party had applied to INEC Rivers State for the CTCs of EC8A, EC8B, EC8C, EC8D and other related series, but INEC had provided no documents. “What we are talking about is going to the Tribunal to seek redress. INEC’s refusal is intentional,” he asserted, presenting the court order compelling INEC to allow inspection of the documents. He alleged compromise within the commission and called on the INEC National Chairman and security agencies to intervene. “If they don’t comply by Monday, we will barricade this place. No worker will enter here. They should be ready to kill all of us,” he warned.
In Cross River State, Governor‑elect Senator Bassey Otu, his deputy Peter Odey, and the 25 newly elected House of Assembly members received their certificates of return on Friday at the INEC office in Calabar. The ceremony was presided over by the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof Gabriel Yomere. Shortly after receiving his certificate, Otu, an APC member, pledged to empower youth and women when he assumes office as governor.
Similarly, in Edo State, the members‑elect received their certificates of return from Resident Electoral Commissioner Obo Efanga. He urged the legislators to rise above personal allegiances that might lead them to act against their constituencies’ interests. “You must also consult the people before making laws because of their participation in the electoral process; their security and safety must be guaranteed,” he advised.
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