Okenyi Kenechi
Indications which emerged on Sunday showed that the Tonye Cole’s gubernatorial team may be heading to the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, due to the lingering legitimacy battle that has left the Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressive Congress divided.
Recall that the Appeal Court, on December 12, dismissed all the appeals filed by the Ojukaye Flag Amachree faction of the party challenging the decision of Justice Chinwendu Worgu of the Rivers State High Court to annul the Indirect Primary conducted by the faction which produced Tonye Cole as the candidate.
In a judgement delivered by the Chairman of the special panel, Justice Abubakar Daati Yayaha, he stated that the appeals lacked competence in its entirety and went ahead to dismiss them.
He said the appeal against the Justice Chinwendu Nwogu High Court judgement on the party Congress crisis lacks merit, adding that the application for joinder failed to observe the 14 days rules of Appeal.
While delivering judgement on the substantive appeal number CA/PH/198 that bothered on Justice Nwogu’s judgement, the panel ruled that the Ojukaye faction failed to seek leave of court before appealing against the judgement.
Justice Yahaya ruled that the judgement delivered at the lower court was a consent judgement, adding that Ojukaye faction should have done the needful legally before approaching the court.
The appellate court also adjourned sine die, the suit challenging the jurisdiction of the High Court to entertain the matter brought before it by Ibrahim Umar and twenty-two others until the outcome of the pending case before the Supreme Court which has been fixed for March 8, 2019.
Sources knowledgeable in the matter told Theportcitynews on Sunday that the Ojukaye-led faction may be heading out to APGA as hope seems to be on the brink.
According to them, the ruling by the appellate court unsettled the equilibrium in the faction and the faction is making plans ahead of eventualities.
Asked if the minister will also defect, the sources said the minister will not defect but will provide emotional support if they agree to head out citing the case of Ogun State governor who is in APC but supporting a candidate of another party.
However, when contacted, a representative of Tonye Cole referred to the claims as wild rumours designed to divide public attention, stressing that candidates produced by the faction are the ones to represent the party come 2019.
When asked about the matter before the Federal High Court where Senator Magnus Abe is asking to be declared the authentic candidate of the party, he said that they are confident that the January 7 date set for ruling on the matter will be in their favour.
The Director-General of Tonye Cole’s campaign organization, Chidi Llyod did not respond to our enquiries.
