RIVERS STATE (FMS) — The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State says it does not accept the ruling of the Federal High Court disqualifying its Governorship Candidate for the 2023 general election.
It will be recalled that the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt presided over by Hon. Justice E. A. Mobile of Court 2, Port Harcourt Division entered into judgement in favour of the PDP and in the said judgement, disqualified the APC Candidate, Arch. Tonye Cole on the ground, among others.
That its candidate is a citizen of the United Kingdom. In press release signed by the APC Rivers State Legal Adviser, Iheanyichukwu Dike, reads:
“recall that the People’s Democratic Party filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt Division seeking the disqualification of our Governorship Candidate, Arch. Tonye Cole on the ground, among others, that our Candidate is a Citizen of the United Kingdom.
“Recall also that today the Hon. Justice E. A. Obile of Federal High Court 2, Port Harcourt entered judgment favor of the PDP in the said judgment, disqualifying our Candidate from participating in the 2023 elections.
“While we are bound by the judgment of the Court pending appeal, we wish to reiterate that our candidate is qualified to contest the said elections because Section 182(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution under which the court reached the decision does not disqualify a person who has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of another country.
Or made a declaration of allegiance provided that such a person is a citizen of Nigeria by birth.
This is so because Section 182(1)(a) of the 1999 constitution is made subject to Section 28 of the same Constitution.
Tonye Cole is a Nigerian citizen by birth and is therefore qualified like every other Nigerian, to contest elections”.
He disclosed that the APC as a Party has therefore set in motion the process to challenge the judgment on appeal immediately.
And, “we are very confident that justice will be done. We urge our teaming supporters and party faithful to remain calm and confident while we pursue justice in this and other matters”.
In all, we wish to our The release assured its supporters that the All Progressives Congress, will be on the ballot and will win the 2023 elections in Rivers State, it concluded.
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