The Chairman of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Omoku Branch, Prof Richard Nwokocha has declared that Rivers State APC has no candidates in the forthcoming elections in 2019.
Speaking during Channels Television Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, Professor Nwokocha said the legal position on the Rivers APC crisis is established that unless the judgment is vacated, the APC National Working Committee interpretation of the matter is of no consequence.
“If you have not vacated the judgment, the APC cannot partipate in the 2019 General election in Rivers State “, Professor Nwokocha said.
He added: “The candidates fielded by the APC in Rivers State are no longer candidates in the eyes of the law”.
He explained that until there is a stay of execution in the judgment of the Port Harcourt High Court, the judgment remains operarional and the beneficiaries will continue to enjoy the declarations therein.
The academic said that it was unfortunate that the APC is viewing the matter as a conflict between two factions, when it has transformed into an issue between the APC and the law.
He noted that the fact that the APC went ahead to disobey the court meant that it acted as if the court did not matter.
Also speaking, Director General of Tonye Cole Campaign Organisation, Mr Chidi Lloyd announced that the Rivers APC has appealed the judgment.
He accused Senator Magnus Abe of manipulating the director primary by being a participant and an examiner. He said the results from the direct primary will not stand.
