The leadership of "Teamcole", a political organization has condemned what it termed “gross injustice” on the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers State, Pastor Tonye Patrick Cole, and others who were disqualified from contesting the 2023 poll.

TeamCole in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Rex David alongside other LGA coordinators observed that, “over the past two weeks, the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has handed down several judgments that have disqualified the Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Arc. Tonye Patrick Cole and 16 of the party’s House of Assembly Candidates, in clear contravention of the Constitution, the Electoral Act and several Appeal and Supreme Court Judgments on similar matters.”

Calling on the APC National Chairman, the spokesperson of APC, and the presidential council to publicly and boldly condemn the gross injustice on the governorship candidate of APC in Rivers State, the group insisted that president Muhammadu Buhari should ensure that justice is served.

The group also alleged the manipulation of justice by the governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike. It also alleged that the governor is spending millions of naira on the judges and buying expensive SUV jeeps just so he can have them do his bidding.

Teamcole urged their teeming members and coordinators across the 23 LGA’s in Rivers State to remain steadfast because their Principal Tonye Cole has appealed the judgment believing that justice will be gotten and surely win the 2023 gubernatorial election in Rivers State.

Text of the statement reads: “Over the past two weeks, the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has handed down several judgments that have disqualified the Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Arc. Tonye Patrick Cole and 16 of the party’s House of Assembly Candidates, in clear contravention of the Constitution, the Electoral Act and several Appeal and Supreme Court Judgments on similar matters.

“These judgments are not surprising to us as it is no longer news that the Governor of Rivers State built mansions for Judges in Rivers state, gave Judges SUV Jeeps worth hundreds of millions of naira and cash donations as well, all this in the clear view of the media and the general public in his usual grand style ceremonies.

“We find it extremely embarrassing and untidy, the fact that the APC at the National level for not saying a word or expressing their displeasure not just with this clear inducement of judges by Gov. Wike, but also on the vexatious and unconstitutional Executive Orders 21 and 22 which has the effect of gagging the opposition in Rivers State.

“We’re hereby call on the National Chairman and Spokespersons of APC and the Presidential Campaign Council to as a matter of importance and as a responsible Organization condemn this gross injustice on our candidate.

“We call on the NJC to probe the judges of both the Rivers State High Court and the Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court as they have clearly shown their penchant to destabilize the political environment of our dear Rivers State.

“We also call on President Muhammadu Buhari to wade into this matter and ensure that proper justice is done.

“To all our members across the over 6,000 units in Rivers State, we want to assure you that TeamCOLE is more than ever united and committed to the victory of our principal Arch. Tonye Cole.

“Our principal has appealed the judgment and we believe we shall come out victorious.

“We’re aware that our leaders and members have been offered cash to decamp to PDP. We ask that you all remain steadfast and secure in the knowledge that Tonye Cole will be on the ballot and will be sworn in as Governor of Rivers State come May 29th, 2023.

“TeamCOLE remains united. All her Coordinators are intact under the leadership of our able National Coordinator; Hon. Rex David, the DG; Engr Joseph Ogbilikana and all our patrons across the state.”

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