Rivers APC Pins Final Hope on Wednesday’s Appeal Court Judgment

PORT HARCOURT — The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has expressed hope that it may still be able to participate in the March 9 governorship and State House of Assembly elections, depending on the outcome of a pending Court of Appeal ruling.

APC candidate for the Okrika/Ogu-Bolo Federal Constituency, Maureen Tamuno, disclosed this during a thanksgiving service at St. Martin’s Anglican Church in Ogu, headquarters of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area.

Tamuno said party members and candidates were continuing preparations for the elections while awaiting the court’s decision.

According to her, the pending judgment could determine whether APC candidates would be allowed to take part in the polls.

She added that if the court ruling did not favour the party, the APC could consider aligning with another political party to ensure that its supporters were still able to participate in the electoral process.

“APC members are preparing for the March 9 governorship and House of Assembly elections in Rivers State. We will receive direction from our leader, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. The court matter is not yet over,” Tamuno said.

She explained that the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt was expected to consider the matter on Wednesday, after which the party would decide on its next course of action.

Tamuno said political realignment remained an option if the judgment prevented APC candidates from contesting.

“The most important thing is that our members must be able to exercise their franchise on March 9, 2019,” she said.

She further stated that any decision on possible political alignment would be taken by the leadership of the party after the court ruling.

According to Tamuno, former Rivers State Governor and APC leader Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi would provide direction to party members following the judgment.

“When the court decides, the leader of the party will give us direction. Amaechi leads, and we follow,” she said.