FOLLOWING the Appeal Court ruling that a fresh governorship election should be conducted in Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike, has directed his lawyers to appeal today’s judgement at the Supreme Court.
Wike said in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu, that he disagreed with the Appeal Court judgment, hence his decision to exhaust his constitutional right by challenging the judgment at the apex court.
The governor called on all his supporters and the people of Rivers State to remain calm and expressed the belief that justice would be done at the end.
He assured the people of the state that he would use all constitutional processes to protect the mandate they freely bestowed on him, hence his decision to approach the Supreme Court for further adjudication.
The governor said he still remains the duly elected governor of Rivers State pending the determination of his appeal by the Supreme Court.
Wike assured the people of Rivers State that all ongoing development projects would continue while his administration would not relent in promoting the security of lives and property across the state.
But the All Progressives Congress in the state expressed satisfaction over the ruling of the Appeal Court, maintaining that the judiciary had once again shown that it remained the last hope for the common man.
The State Chairman of the APC, Dr. Davies Ikanya, told The PUNCH on Wednesday that the Appeal Court ruling would pave the way for the electorate in Rivers State to vote without fear of violence.
Ikanya said, “WE give glory to the Almighty God on behalf of the Minister of Transport, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, the governorship candidate of the APC (in the 2015 election) Dr. Dakuku Peterside, and his deputy, Hon. Honorable Asita, and Rivers people.
“This judgement has proven that the judiciary remains the last hope of the downtrodden and the common man. We thank the judiciary for not disappointing the people.
“We are happy that Rivers people now have the opportunity to vote without the fear of being attacked. The court ruling today also shows that if you engage in violence during election, the judiciary is there to nullify such election.”
Ikanya, however, pointed out that the APC would not lose any sleep over what the outcome of a Supreme Court judgement would be, adding that the truth would not change.
“Whether it is the Election Petition Tribunal, the Appeal Court or the Supreme Court, the truth will always remain the truth,” he said.
Punch.
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