Justice E. A Obile of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has disqualified Tonye Cole as Rivers State Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress.

Justice Obile disqualified Tonye Cole on grounds of dual citizenship for voluntarily acquiring citizenship of the United Kingdom and declaration of allegiance to the same country, not being duly nominated by his political party and noncompliance with provisions of the Electoral  Act.

Cole was also disqualified on grounds that the primaries conducted by the All Progressives Congress violated sections of the electoral act and were not monitored by INEC

Speaking to journalists shortly after the count counsel to the PDP Dike Udenna said by the ruling INEC would not field Tonye Cole as the candidate of the APC in the 2023 elections.

Counsel to the APC Collins Dike on his part said the APC would appeal the judgement of the court.