Tonye Cole, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 18th gubernatorial election in Rivers state, has called out the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its level of impunity. Cole accused the commission of failing to allow him access to collect Certified True Copies (CTC) documents required to file his petition at the election tribunal.

Cole, who spoke on Arise Television’s Morning Show program, expressed his frustration over the electoral commission’s refusal to release the documents despite court orders. According to him, the APC was prevented from collecting documents that rightfully belong to them, and even court orders mandating INEC to release the documents have been ignored.

He highlighted the fact that INEC is expected to provide these documents within 14 days, and failure to do so could result in 20 months imprisonment for contravening the law. Cole went on to state that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) mounted a blockade at INEC’s office to prevent APC from accessing the documents.

Cole stressed that the level of impunity displayed by INEC cannot be allowed to stand and that Nigerians must continue to fight for what is right and just. He urged Nigerians to understand the situation and stand up for their rights.

The issue of INEC’s failure to release the documents required by the APC has sparked controversy, with many Nigerians expressing concerns over the fairness of the electoral process. Cole’s comments have reignited calls for electoral reforms and better oversight of INEC to ensure transparency and fairness in future elections.

This situation is also indicative of a larger problem in Nigeria’s electoral process, where accusations of irregularities, voter intimidation, and violence are common during elections. There is a growing need for electoral reforms to ensure a level playing field for all political parties and to improve the credibility of the electoral process.

Cole’s comments highlight the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring that electoral bodies such as INEC are held accountable for their actions. It is crucial for Nigerians to continue to advocate for transparency and fairness in the electoral process to ensure a better future for the country.