Rivers guber 2019: APC NWC insists on Tonye Cole as authentic candidate

The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has insisted that Tonye Dele Cole, remains it governorship candidate in Rivers State.

The party took the stand ahead of Friday’s deadline for submission of Forms CF001 and CF002 of the list of the governorship and state assemblies’ candidates by political parties to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

This was contained in a statement issued by the party’s national publicity secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu.

The ruling party pointed out that the recent judgement of the Supreme Court on the crisis in its Rivers State chapter had no bearing on the primary where Tonye Cole emerged as governorship candidate and the process that produced its candidates for the state assembly.

The statement said, “In view of conflicting interpretations that have greeted the recent verdict of the Supreme Court on the contentions among our members in Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), it has become necessary to clarify that the Supreme Court’s verdict has nothing to do with the primaries conducted for the governorship and legislative positions in the state.

“Therefore, the candidature of Arch. Tonye Cole along with his running mate, Hon. Victor Giadom remains inviolate.

“The list of our candidates for the governorship, National Assembly, and House of Assembly have been processed by the National Working Committee (NWC) according to the INEC guidelines.

“Our party appreciates the support of the good people of Rivers State and their commitment towards the victory of our governorship candidate, Arch. Tonye Cole and other APC candidates at all levels in the 2019 elections.

“A progressive leadership under the APC beckons and the people of Rivers State are poised to effect a change to move the beleaguered state to a path of progress and development.”