24th November, 2022
Tonye Cole, the Rivers governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC was kicked out of 2023 election by a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
Justice Emmanuel Obile had disqualified Cole from the election over allegation of dual citizenship.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP had dragged Cole and APC to court over allegation of dual citizenship.
PDP also complained that the delegate election in which Cole was elected did not follow due process having not been monitored by INEC.
In his ruling, Justice Obi agreed with the PDP. The Court said Cole has voluntary dual citizenship of the United Kingdom and pledging and pledged allegiance to same.
The Judge also said Cole was not duly nominated by the APC while the primary that produced him was not conducted in line with the 2022 Electoral Act.
The Judge also also agreed with the PDP that Tonye Cole is not eligible to contest governorship position.
He therefore asked INEC to delist the name of Tonye Cole from the list of eligible candidates for the 2023 Governorship election.