Abe pleads Rivers interest, says goodbye to election tribunal petition 

Abe pleads Rivers interest, says goodbye to election tribunal petition 
… As APC moves against Victor Giadom

By PHC Telegraph

Signs that most Rivers people are heaving sighs of great relief are gradually emerging, following the sudden decision by the Social Democratic Party, SDP, to discontinue its case at the tribunal against the electoral victory of Sir Similanayi Fubara of the PDP.

Candidate of the SDP, Senator Magnus Abe announced the decision to withdraw from the tribunal while addressing members of the party in Port Harcourt.

Many Rivers people had taken to the social media soon after the news broke to express their independent views.

While some described the solo move made by the former Senator as a wise decision, capable of eliminating bitterness and rancour, others who were not overtly impressed said they were not surprised by the sudden u-turn.

Abe said on Sunday that he decided to dump the petition he filed at the Election Petition Tribunal against the victory of Siminalayi Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party in the best interest of Rivers people.

He told supporters there was need to thank God, especially after all they went through.

“I know it has not been easy and at a time like this, to go with bare hands against dollars, naira and euros”, Abe remarked.

“All you have is your faith”, Abe noted, “and (the) conviction that this is the right thing to do.”

“A lot of our people went through so much trauma, so much hell, but it is to the glory of God that we are alive today”, the SDP candidate added.

Abe’s move to withdraw his petition against Fubara is coming against the backdrop of the visit to the State by the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu is expected to arrive the Rivers capital in the next 48 hours at the start of a visit that will last two days.

With the former governorship candidate stepping aside because of what he sees as the best interest of Rivers people, public attention is now shifting to the APC.

Tonye Cole and what is left of his faction are struggling to fight a case at the tribunal.

Will Cole withdraw his petition from the tribunal? Or will he decide to sink with his backers who have so far held him hostage?

Apparently, Cole is sticking more to Asari Dokubo, a former freedom fighter who has emerged in recent times as a close pal of James Falake, an associate of Bola Tinubu.

Meanwhile, the Gokana born politician has denied accusations by Governor Nyesom Wike that he is busy de-marketing the Rivers State.

In a related development, the APC has moved against another politician of Gokana extraction, Chief Victor Giadom.

Giadom who has fought so many wars at the APC National Secretariat,  it will be recalled, was in the forefront of the battle to kick Adams Oshiomole out from office as the party’s National Chairman.

According to information filtering in, Giadom, a staunch supporter of a one-time Governor of Rivers State is facing charges for actions considered inimical to the interest of his party.

Giadom who is tied to the apronstring of  Rt. Hon Rotimi Amaechi now has a suspension order hovering around his head