Brave Dickson
The recent withdrawal from the ongoing Rivers State governorship election petition tribunal by Magnus Abe has met serious criticism from the All Progressives Congress in the state.
Abe contested the 2023 governorship election in the state on the platform of the Social Democratic Party and lost to Sim Fubara who was declared the governor – elect by INEC.
The SDP governorship candidate who came third had earlier challenged the election at the election petition tribunal but recently withdrew his petition from the tribunal.
Abe told his party members that his reason for the withdrawal was for the interest of the state.
But the APC in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State had said that the withdrawal was another clear confirmation of Abe’s political alignment with Governor Nyesom Wike.
A stakeholder of the party in the LGA, Ajasin Vincent told our correspondent that Abe’s reason for contesting the governorship election was to enable PDP win the poll.
He also boasted that Abe’s withdrawal from the tribunal will not affect APC at the tribunal, adding that APC has sufficient evidence to prove that the election was marred by irregularities.
His words: “We are not surprised that Abe withdrew his petition from the state governorship election petition tribunal.
It is a known fact that Abe belongs to Wike’s cabal and had only wanted to be on the ballot to divide APC’s vote in favour of the PDP.
“His withdrawal will not have any effect on our petition per se because I am very convinced that we have sufficient evidence to prove that the election was marred with violence and irregularities.”
